BRUCE  GOTTEN 

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LIFE 


OF 


REV.  A.  CROOKS,  A.  M. 


WRITTEN  AND  COMPILED  BY  HIS  WIFE, 


MRS.  E.  W.  CROOKS. 


"  Servant  of  God,  well  done  ; 

Rest  from  thy  loved  employ  ; 
The  battle  fought,    the  victory  won  ; 

Enter  thy  Master's  joy." 


SYRACUSE,    N .   Y.: 

PUBLISHED    BY    D.     S.    KINNEY,     WESLEY  AN   METHODIST 
PUBLISHING  HOUSE. 

18   7   5. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


^ 


The  present  work  is  issued  to  perpetuate  the  precious 
memory  of  Adam  Crooks,  as  well  as  respond  to  the  gener- 
al demand  of  a  stricken  people.  Thrown  upon  the  stage 
of  action  when  the  world  of  morals  was  being  shaken  in 
Church  and  State  by  priests  and  politicians,  who  held  that 
the  right  of  American  Slavery  was  not  to  be  questioned, 
the  subject  of  this  memoir,  though  still  in  his  youth, 
withstood  the  baseless  claims  of  this  vaunting  Goliah. 

This  early  stand  for  God  and  humanity  started  him  upon 
the  pathway  of  independence  of  thought  and  actioD,  which 

N      characterized  all  his  after  life. 
«U  His  sense  of  honor,  his  dignified  manhood,  his  fidelity  to 

C)q     the  truth,    his  faifh   in  God,    his  deep   piety,  his    practical 
^      common  sense,  his  unflinching  fortitude,  his  tender  sympa- 
thies, his  breadth  of  thought,  his  care  for  the  common  weal, 
and  his  philanthropic  spirit  made  him  a  natural  leader.    Men 


IV  INTRODUCTORY. 

felt  like  trusting  him,  and  no  man  ever  felt  that  trust  be- 
trayed. 

This  memoir  has  been  prepared,  for  the  most  part,  by 
her  whose  journey  for  nearly  twenty-two  years  has  been  at 
his  side.  That  her  deepest  interest  has  entwined  around 
the  objects  of  his  toils  and  fortunes,  it  is  eminently  fitting 
that  to  these  pages  should  be  given  that  careful  and  truth- 
ful expression  of  the  facts  of  history,  which  her  intimacy 
with  him  will  warrant. 

And  now  that  his  dust  so  quietly  rests  in  his  hillside 
home,  no  one  will  wonder  that  she  feels  deeply  bereaved 
as  she  still  takes  up  the  burden  of  life,  and  walks  the 
rough  ways  of  the  world  all  alone.  Still  anxious  for  the 
dear  people  whom  he  loved  so  much  and  left  so  soon, 
with  his  companions  in  arms,  we  know  she  still  prays  that 
each  may  be  loyal  to  duty,  until  one  by  one  all  may  join 
him  again  in  the  Paradise  of  God. 

L.    N.    S. 


TO      THE 

FAITHFUL   SOLDIERS    IN   THE   MORAL 

CONFLICT;— HIS  ASSOCIATES  IN 

THIS    HOLY    WAR  :— 

TO       THOSE 

WHO  FELL  AROUND   HIM,  AND  TO   THOSE 

WHO   SURVIVE,    AND  UNTO 

HIM 

TO  WHOM  WE  DEDICATE  OUR  SABBATHS, 

OUR  SANCTUARIES,  AND  OURSELVES, 

THIS    VOLUME 

IS  FAITHFULLY  AND  LOVINGLY 

INSCRIBED. 


LIFE 


OF 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS,   A,  M, 


EARLY  HISTORY. 


Adam  Crooks  was  born  in  Leesville,  Carroll 
County,  Ohio,  on  the  3rd  of  May,  A.  D.,  1824.  He 
was  the  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Crooks,  and 
the  fourth  child  of  a  family  of  thirteen.  His  father 
was  a  man  of  the  world,  but  taught  his  family  the 
strictest  honesty  and  truthfulness.  But  that  blessed 
gift  of  Heaven,  a  godly  mother,  by  her  uniform  pie- 
ty and  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  often  awak- 
ened in  him  the  most  pungent  convictions  of  sin, 
and  led  to  secret  prayer  and  solemn  promises  of 
reformation,  but  nothing  further. 

When  some  fourteen  years  of  age,  a  singular  in- 
cident occurred,  which  was  destined,  under  Divine 
Providence,  to  shape  his  future  course.  His  broth- 
er William,  some  four  years  his  senior,  was  some- 


o  THE  LIFE  OF 

what  skeptical  as  to  the  divine  origin  of  Christianity, 
remarked,  in  a  careless  manner,  "  I  do  not  believe 
in  religion.  I  believe  those  who  profess  it  are 
hypocrites ;  but  if  I  should  ever  go  to  the  altar  for 
prayers,  I  should  never  leave  it  until  I  knew  for 
certain."  Although  not  a  Christian  himself,  yet 
Aclam  secretly  prayed  with  all  the  fervor  of  his 
heart  that  William  might  be  constrained  to  go  to 
the  altar.  For  he  thought  his  brother's  conversion 
a  thing  very  desirable,  it  was  not  an  hour  until 
William  was  most  deeply  convicted,  and  at  the 
altar  the  next  evening  he  found  salvation.  He  be- 
came an  exemplary  Christian,  and  a  devoted  min- 
ister of  the  Gospel;  and  on  February  14th,  1847, 
went  up  to  glory. 

From  the  hour  of  his  brother's  conversion,  Adam 
became  a  secret  seeker  of  personal  salvation,  fre- 
quently praying  twenty  times  a  day,  but  seemingly 
to  no  effect ;  for  he  thus  wandered  in  darkness  for 
months.  But  the  blessed  hour  of  deliverance  came. 
It  was  one  Spring  morning,  he  was  returning  from 
his  place  of  secret  prayer,  across  his  father's  farm* 
Just  as  the  sun  spread  his  golden  mantle  over  field 
and  forest,  and  saluted  his  eyes,  his  faith  took  hold 
on  G-od,  and  the  Sun  of  righteousness  poured  in  His 
rays  upon  the  new-born  soul.  Nor  was  this  light 
evanescent.  It  was  the  incessant  dawn  of  an  eter- 
nal day.  Prayer  was  almost  momentary;  spirit- 
ual communion  was  constant ;  stated  hours  of 
prayer  were  observed,  and  with  his  brother  William 
he  fasted  every  Friday.     The  genuineness  of  early 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  9 

piety  and  the  conversion  of  children  is  illustrated 
in  his  conversion,  which  occurred  at  the  age  of 
fourteen  years,  and  might  have  been  earlier  j  his 
convictions  and  knowledge  being  equal  to  it. 

The  early  educational  advantages  of  this  promi- 
nent Christian  worker,  like  that  of  many  before 
him,  were  only  medium.  Attending  school  during 
the  Winters,  and  working  hard  on  his  father's  farm, 
of  which  he  had  principal  charge  from  unusually 
early  years,  he  became  inured  to  hard-handed  toil. 
But  he  had  an  insatiable  thirst  for  knowledge  j  sel- 
dom in  the  house,  if  only  for  a  few  minutes,  with 
hands  empty  of  a  book,  and  often  arising  before 
day  to  master  some  difficult  lesson.  When  about 
twenty  years  of  age  he  spent  two  Summers  at  an 
academy  under  the  auspices  of  the  Presbyterians, 
some  two  miles  from  home. 

Among  his  papers  is  found  a  report  of  his  stand* 
ing  while  at  this  school. 

"  STUDIES. 
Arithmetic,  English  Grammar,  Geography,    '  Watts  on 
the  Mind/  and  Ancient  History. 

Absent  from  Prayers — Never. 

"         "       Kecitation — .  ^ Never. 

Application — ...* Excellent. 

Improvement — Excellent. 

REMARKS. 
Anything  that  may  he  said  by  us  of  Mr.  Crooks,  must  be 
of  a  commendatory  character.     His  course,  while  with  us, 
has  been  that  of  a  gentleman  and  of  a  Christian.     His  tal- 
ents are  good,  and  his  promises  of  usefulness  are  flattering. 
Jas.  Mathews, 

A.  SWANEY, 


>  Instructors." 


10  THE  LIFE  OF 

But  having  been  a  student  through  life,  he  has 
mastered  a  thousand  lessons  to  which  many  a  col* 
legian  has  failed  to  give  his  attention.  The  "  di* 
vine  desire  to  know"  will  convert  field,  or  forest, 
or  lake,  or  landscape,  or  island,  or  ocean,  or  conti- 
nent into  a  university. 

He  united  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church, 
of  which  his  parents  were  members,  while  his 
brother  William  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  was  much  the  youngest  of  any  in  the 
Church,  yet  willing  thus  early  to  walk  alone,  so 
long  as  it  appeared  to  be  the  path  of  duty.  Always 
generous  toward  other  denominations,  and  willing 
to  point  sinners  to  the  Cross  at  any  altar  where 
Christ  appeared,  he  attended  religious  meetings, 
far  and  near,  irrespective  of  denominations.  He 
deeply  deplored  the  want  of  spirituality  among  his 
own  people. 

When  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  deeply  felt 
the  need  of  a  more  thorough  Christian  experience. 
He  was  greatly  profited  by  reading  the  "  Life  of 
William  Carvosso,"  and  sought,  with  ceaseless  anxi- 
ety, the  blessing  of  entire  sanctification.  He  sought 
it  as  distinctly  as  justification.  He  trusted  fully  in 
Jesus  as  a  Savior  from  all  taint  of,  and  tendency  to 
sin,  and  realized  the  speechless  joy  of  complete  sal- 
vation. This,  like  conversion,  was  effected  when 
alone,  and  free  from  the  pressure  of  external  ex- 
citement. 

Convinced  of  the  complicity  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  with  chattel  slavery,  it  ceased  to 


REV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  11 

be  a  congenial  home  to  one  who  had  nothing  in 
view  but  God  and  his  glory,  and  man's  well-being. 
The  heart  longed  for  an  opportunity  to  free  itself 
by  change  of  church-relationship.  This  opportuni- 
ty was  presented  when  the  venerated  Edward  Smith 
organized  a  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church  in  his  na- 
tive village,  July  25th,  1843.  That  day  Brother 
Crooks  was  elected  class-leader.  This  change  of 
church-home,  and  open  antagonism  to  slavery,  no 
perils  nor  privations  ever  caused  him  to  regret. 


EARLY    MINISTRY. 

His  call  to  the  Gospel  ministry  was  an  ever-liv- 
ing and  ineffaceable  conviction.  Yet  it  greatly 
distressed  his  mind:  First,  by  fears  that  it  was 
a  fire  of  his  own  kindling.  Second,  by  an  oppres- 
sive sense  of  his  own  incapacity ;  hence,  for  years) 
it  was  the  subject  of  earnest  solicitude  and  prayer. 
These  embarrassments  were  held  in  abeyance  by 
the  firm  purpose  to  do  every  duty  at  whatever  cost, 
and  the  assurance  that  God  would  call  to  no  duty 
in  which  he  would  not,  in  some  way,  supply  all  de- 
ficiencies. But  his  soul  found  complete  rest  only 
in  the  settled  purpose  to  await  and  cheerfully  con- 
form to  the  opening  of  God's  providence.  And 
this  became  the  key  to  his  entire  subsequent  life : 
to,  in  all  things  follow  the  united  leadings  of  God's 
providence,  Spirit  and  Word. 

The  4th  of  May,  1844,  being  just  twenty  years  of 


12  THELTFEOF 

age,  he  accepted  license  to  exhort.  Under  this-, 
however,  he  always  took  a  text  and  preached,  as 
systematized  thought  was  more  natural  and  easy  to 
his  type  of  mind. 

August,  1845,  he  joined  the  Allegheny  Confer- 
ence,  and  went  as  junior  preacher  to  the  Erie  cir- 
cuit. Here  came  a  trial  to  his  Christian  fidelity. 
The  headquarters  of  the  Erie  circuit  was  Erie  city. 
There  was  not  a  white  member  in  the  Church,  and 
this  feeble  colored  Church  was  the  only  one  on  this 
circuit  of  two  preachers.  The  prospect  was  forbid- 
ding, indeed.  The  first  Sabbath  morning  in  Erie 
made  a  deep  impression.  Thoughts  of  u  Sweet 
home,"  and  pleasant  social  position  there,  and  of 
the  intense  prejudice  against  any  white  man,  whose 
motives,  however  Christ-like,  showed  practical 
sympathy  for  the  then  hated  colored  race.  A  pain- 
ful sense  of  isolation  caused  tears  unbidden  to  flow- 
But  thoughts  of  Jesus — the  mockings,  scourging 
and  cast-off  purple,  and  forsaken  in  that  dreadful 
"  hour  of  the  powers  of  darkness,"  dried  them  all 
away. 

He  found  them  very  poor — many  of  them  fugi- 
tives from  slavery,  and  very  ignorant.  He  consent- 
ed to  become  one  of  them,  to  lift  them  up..  He  es- 
tablished a  night-school,  for  their  instruction — was 
earnest  in  arousing  their  ambition  to  become  in- 
telligent as  well  as  good.  They  were  very  grate- 
ful,  and  thought  they  never  before  had  found  such 
a  friend.  His  stay  among  them  was  brief,  as  at  the 
expiration  of  six  weeks  he  was  called  to  Allegheny 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  13 


City,  to  labor  in  concert  with  his  brother  William, 
then  in  the  second  year  of  his  ministry,  boarding 
with  Rev.  B.  Loughead,  who  long  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Allegheny  Conference.  This  became  a 
pleasant  and  profitable  year. 

On  the  following  year  he  went  as  junior  preacher 
to  the  Zanesville  circuit,  in  company  with  Rev.  G. 
Richey,  preacher  in  charge,  and  now  President  of 
the  Central  Ohio  Conference. 

Brother  Richey,  in  a  funeral  discourse  preached 
at  Leesville,  the  home  of  his  boyhood  and  youth, 
says :  "  He  was  my  co-laborer  on  the  Zanesville 
circuit.  My  house,  during  that  year,  was  his  prin- 
cipal home.  I  knew  him  well  and  loved  him  much. 
Indeed,  it  was  only  necessary  to  know  him  well  in 
order  to  love  him.  He  was  not  only  an  amiable 
Christian,  but  an  affable  gentleman.  He  seemed  to 
possess  the  /wisdom  of  the  serpent,  and  harmless- 
ness  of  the  dove.'  In  morals  he  had  the  innocence 
of  the  lamb,  and  the  courage  of  the  lion.  This  year 
his  brother  in  the  flesh,  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the 
ministry — "William — loved  more  than  life  itself,  was 
called  from  earth  to  heaven. 


CALL  TO  THE  SOUTH. 

"  The  Allegheny  Conference,  held  at  Mesopota- 
mia, Ohio,  September,  1847,  received  an  urgent 
letter  from  North  Carolina,  asking  for  a  minister* 
Every  eye  seemed  to  turn  to  Brother  Crooks  as  the 


14  THE  LIFE  OF 

man  for  that  place.  After  a  season  of  devout,  earn* 
est,  silent  prayer,  in  which  the  entire  Conference 
engaged,  Brother  Crooks  arose—his  cheeks  pale  as 
marble — and  said,  '  I  will  go,  sustained  by  your 
prayers.  In  the  name  of  my  Savior  I  will  go  to 
North  Carolina.' " 

He  has  often  said,  "  The  question  presented 
itself  to  me,  can  you  give  your  life  for  the  cause  ? 
I  felt  that  I  could,  and  went."  He  gave  his  life 
when  he  consented  to  go. 

He  was  ordained  Elder  at  that  Conference,  Sep- 
tember 21st,  one  year  in  advance  of  the  rules,  in 
order  to  fit  him  for  the  work  on  his  mission.  His 
parchment  is  signed,  "  T.  Guy,  President  of  Con- 
ference." 

Four  years  of  toil,  self-sacrifice,  peril  and  success 
ensued.  By  the  close  of  the  first  year,  an  opening 
in  Grayson  County,  Virginia,  called  for  another 
man.  Jarvis  C.  Bacon  responded.  The  work  ex- 
tended both  in  Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  New 
doors  opened,  calls  to  "  Come  over  and  help  us,' 
multiplied,  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  second  year, 
Jesse  McBride  took  the  field  already  opened^  leav- 
ing Brother  Crooks  to  go  more  deeply  "  into  the 
regions  beyond."  The  history  of  these  years  will 
be  given  in  extracts  from  letters  to  the  Wesleyan} 
written  on  that  moral  battle-field. 

More  fitting  than  anything  we  can  present  are 
the  following  pen  pictures  drawn  by  himself,  of  his 
journey  south,  and  his  labors  amid  the  scenes  of 
slavery  with  its  Bibles  and  whips  and  slave-pens. 


REV.  ADAM  BROOKS.  15 

Circumstances  not  unfrequently  contribute  large- 
ly in  rendering  recorded  events  interesting.  The 
circumstance  of  my  appointed  field  of  labor  being 
in  a  slave-holding  State,  may  give  importance  to  a 
few  notes  by  the  way.  It  would  be  in  vain  to  es- 
say to  give  a  description  of  the  deep  emotions  that 
thrill  the  soul  when  taking  the  parting  hand  of  an 
affectionate  father,  a  kind  mother,  dear  brothers 
and  sisters,  and  friends  beloved;  when  bidding 
adieu  to  the  hills,  valleys,  and  streamlets,  that  were 
the  associate  of  one's  juvenile  sports,  and  childish 
perambulations,-  the  most  vivid  imagination  and 
nervous  language,  are  utterly  inadequate  to  the 
task.— Such  reflections  as  these  are  very  natural. 
Am  I  looking  upon  these  people  the  last  time  ? — 
Shall  I  ever  again  meet  a  father's  smile,  or  have  the 
seal  of  maternal  affection  stamped  on  my  cheek? 
May  I  ever  again  drink  the  sweet  waters  which 
flow  in  the  channel  of  the  society  of  those  endear- 
ed by  the  tender  ties  of  consanguinity  ?  With 
these  peculiar  feeliags  and  cogitations,  on  the 
morning  of  the  1st  of  October,  I  turned  my  face 
to  go  to  the  far  South,  to  pronounce  that  Gospel 
which  proclaims  liberty  to  the  captive,  and  the  open- 
ing of  the  prisons  to  them  that  are  bound. 

I  must  needs  go  through  Zanesville  for  my  books 
and  clothes,  (it  being  my  former  field  of  labor.) 

On  Saturday  evening  I  arrived  at  Zanesville, 
was  kindly  received  by  brother  J.  and  family.  On 
Sabbath  evening  spoke  a  short  time  from  viiith  chap. 
ter,  9th  verse,  second  Corinthians.     In  improving 


1 6  THE  LIFE  OF 

the  subject,  I  tried  to  show  that  Christ  is  our  ex- 
ample— we  must  have  His  spirit  if  we  would  be 
His — it  is  a  spirit  to  labor,  suffer,  for  the  good  of 
man, — we  must  be  willing  to  sacrifice  property ;  He 
became  poor.  Reputation,  He  made  Himself  of  no 
reputation;  and  person,  He  was  wounded,  bruised? 
chastised,  and  all  for  man,  yea,  for  His  enemies. 
He  suffered  patiently,  suffered  not  unnecessarily, 
but  in  harmony  with  the  will  of  His  Father.  Those 
who  do  not  imitate  Him  are  not  Christians,  whether 
individuals  or  organizations.  Dear  reader,  how 
much  are  you  willing  to  sacrifice  ?  How  much  have 
you  suffered  in  property,  reputation  or  person,  for 
the  good  of  your  race  ?  Wherein  have  you  denied 
yourself  daily  ? — of  what  to-day  ? 

I  was  detained  till  Thursday,  waiting  for  a  boat. 
As  none  came,  I  mounted  the  stage  on  Friday  morn- 
ing for  M.,  a  town  at  the  juncture  of  the  Muskingum 
and  Ohio  rivers,  sixty  miles  below  Zanesville,  The 
day  was  wet,  cold  and  gloomy,  and  the  road 
rough.  But  as  it  followed  the  river,  a  person  hav- 
ing large  individuality,  would  delight  himself  in  ob- 
serving the  flowing  river ;  its  little  islands,  adorned 
with  the  waving  willow ;  the  fading  foliage  bedeck- 
ing its  bank;  together  with  the  craggy  hills,  the 
rolling  forest,  the  rich  fields  and  green  meadows, 
which  variegate  every  succeeding  prospect,  Who 
can  witness  such  a  scenery  and  not  mark  the  foot- 
steps of  the  power,  wisdom  and  goodness,  of  Him 
who  bridles  the  waters,  plows  their  channels,  and 
determines  their  courses  ? 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  1? 

I  arrived  at  M.  about  9  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  not 
wishing  to  travel  on  Sabbath  morning,  I  sought  out 
the  residence  of  Brother  P.,  where  I  was  made  very 
welcome,  and  was  able  to  feel  at  home,  Brother 
P.  is  an  efficient  agent  in  the  underground  railroad. 
M.  is  the  oldest  town  in  Ohio ;  it  is  beautifully  situ- 
ated, built  (in  some  respects)  after  the  eastern  style. 
There  are  a  great  many  anti-slavery  Methodists  in 
this  place,  but  they  do  not  seem  to  see  the  incon- 
gruity of  coming  out  of  a  pro-slavery  political 
party,  and  remaining  in  fellowship  with  a  pro- 
slavery  Church.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  friends 
had  their  Quarterly  Meeting  on  Saturday  morning 
at  10  o'clock,  M.  T.  Young,  Presiding  Elder, 
preached  from  Matthew  xiv:  23.  Subject,  Private 
Prayer.  In  descanting  on  what  we  should  pray  for, 
he  named  the  prosperity  of  the  Church.  On  this 
point  he  manifested  great  earnestness,,  referred  them 
to  the  past  prosperous  condition  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  compared  it  to  the  stone  of  prophesy  cut 
out  of  the  mountain,  it  had  rolled  on  gloriously. 
That  evening  I  had  the  happiness  to  see  Ephraim 
Cutler,  the  only  man  living  who  helped  to  frame  the 
Constitution  of  Ohio,  He  claims  the  honor  of  mak- 
ing it  a  free  State ;  he  sat  up  a  whole  night  to  frame 
arguments  to  accomplish  that  object.  Honor  to  his 
life  !     When  dead,  peace  to  his  ashes  ! 

Sabbath,  11  o'clock,  A.  M.,  preached  in  town  hall 
of  Harmer,  (H.  is  on  the  other  side  of  the  Musk- 
ingum from  M.,)  from  Matthew  vi:  9.  After  meet- 
ing, a  Mr.  S.,  Presbyterian,  accosting  me,  said  I 


18  THE  LIFE  OF 

must  have  the  Methodist  house  that  evening.  It 
was  obtained  for  4  P.  M.  I  spoke  from  Matthew 
vi:10.  Here  I  tried  to  make  it  appear  that  the 
means  ordained  by  Heaven  for  the  establishment  of 
Christ's  kingdom  were,  the  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel, the  whole  Gospel,  the  practice  of  every  duty, 
the  right  and  faithful  exercise  of  discipline,  by 
which  every  sinner,  of  whatever  kind,  would  be  kept 
out  of  the  pale  of  the  Church ;  and  those  organiza- 
tions which  do  not  use  those  means  cannot  effect  the 
object  for  which  they  organize.  This  was  my  last 
Sabbath  in  Ohio.  I  then  waited  (though  very  im- 
patiently) for  a  boat,  which  did  not  come  until 
Tuesday  morning,  11  o'clock.  In  a  very  few  min- 
utes I  was  sailing  down  the  beautiful  Ohio.  The 
day  was  wet  and  cold,  a  great  many  passengers, 
and  an  amount  of  vanity  displayed,  though  I  was 
pleased  by  the  order  observed. 

On  Tuesday  night  we  were  landed  on  the  Vir- 
ginia shores,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Kanahwa ; 
here  again  we  were  detained  until  Thursday  morn- 
ing for  a  boat  to  go  to  C,  sixty  miles  up  this  rapid 
river. 

Thursday  night  got  to  C.  in  time  to  give  our- 
selves to  the  faithful  keeping  of  Morpheus,  at 
about  1  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Friday  took  stage  for  Lewisburgh,  one  hundred 
miles  from  C.  After  riding  about  thirty  miles  over 
a  good  road  we  found  ourselves  at  the  base  of  the 
Green  Briar  Mountain.  The  prospect  now  be- 
comes indescribably  romantic.     The  traveler  seems 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  19 

to  be  environed  at  every  point  of  the  compass,  by 
great  piles  of  earth,  covered  with  pines,  which  lift 
their  hundred  arms  on  high,  as  though  they  would 
grasp  the  clouds,  or  sweep  the  sky.  The  complete 
symmetry  with  which  these  piles  are  formed,  com- 
ing to  a  peak  with  the  order  of  a  pyramid,  will 
strike  the  admiration  of  every  beholder.  I  would 
advdse  every  one  who  travels  this  road  to  visit  the 
Hawk's  Nest,  a  precipice  of  rock  piled  on  rock,  to 
the  height  of  nine  hundred  feet.  Here  you  will 
fancy  yourself  at  the  jumping  off  place.  To  look 
down  you  seem  to  be  lifted  far  above  the  earth,  the 
head  reels.  The  country  is  under  very  poor 
cultivation,  and  the  minds  of  the  inhabitants  are 
no  better.  An  old  revolutionary  soldier,  bend- 
ing beneath  the  weight  of  time,  and  trembling 
with  age,  got  in  to  ride  a  few  miles;  he  stated 
that  they  are  beginning  to  raise  wheat.  (They 
formerly  lived  on  bear's  meat,  and  pone.)  I 
remarked  to  the  old  gentleman,  it  was  a  long- 
road  from  C.  to  L.,  one  hundred  miles,  without 
any  towns  or  villages;  he  replied,  there  was  no 
place  to  put  them.  We  lodged  a  few  hours  fifty 
miles  from  C,  and  by  1  o'clock,  A.  M.,  was  in  the 
stage  again. 

To-day,  Saturday,  feelings  of  deep  sorrow,  min- 
gled with  emotions  of  profound  indignation,  swell 
my  bosom,  while  surveying  the  fallen  and  corrupt 
state  of  the  Churches  of  our  land,  while  I  see  them 
chattelizing  humanity,  and  driving  the  iron  chariot 
of  oppression  over  her  breast,  while  its  massive 


20  THE  LIFE  OF 

wheels  squeeze  hissing  streams  of  blood  from  the 
tender  cords  of  her  great  heart. 

Saturday  evening  arrived  at  L.,  where  we  spent 
the  Sabbath.  In  the  morning  I  attended  meeting 
at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  listened  to 
a  sermon  from  John  1st  chapter,  38th  verse.— 
The  body  of  the  discourse  was  very  well  propor- 
tioned, but  if  I  am  a  judge,  the  body  was  all  there 
was  of  it  j  I  do  not  think  it  had  any  soul. 

Monday  morning,  1  o'clock,  took  stage  for  Fin- 
castle.  Our  road  was  over  the  Allegheny  ridge  of 
mountains.  |The  scenery  was  magnificently  sublime. 
The  air  is  highly  salubrious,  and  the  mountaineers 
are  the  Goliah's  of  the  land.  We  had  a  few  hours 
rest,  about  12  o'clock  mounted  the  stage  for  Lynch- 
burgh.  We  crossed  the  range  called  the  Blue 
Ridge,  before  day ;  here  the  sun  rose  on  us  in  Old 
Virginia.  The  peaks  of  Otter  on  the  Blue  Ridge, 
are  the  highest  of  the  Allegheny;  being  four 
thousand,  two  hundred  and  sixty  feet  high.  A 
circumstance  transpired  here  worthy  of  note.  A 
colored  woman  was  put  in  the  stage  at  F.,  who 
said  she  was  on  her  way  to  L.,  a  town  about  thirty 
miles  from  F.  On  being  interrogated,  she  in- 
formed us  that  she  had  been  sold  to  a  negro  trader 
in  L.,  her  former  master  lived  in  F.  She  was 
leaving  a  husband,  a  mother,  brothers  and  sisters, 
and  the  grave  of  a  child.  Are  not  such  acts  of 
cruelty  enough  to  make  us  "  sick  of  humanity,  and 
blush  to  know  ourselves  men."  She  was  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal   Church,  and  he,  the 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  21 

man  who  sold  her,  of  the  Episcopalian  Christians 
(by  profession)  selling  God's  own  image,  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Savior's  death,  and  the  temple  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  as  beasts  in  market.  Oh  Shame, 
where  is  thy  blush !  I  asked  her  if  she  did  not 
mourn  the  loss  of  her  babe !  and  the  emphasis  with 
which  she  responded  No !  made  my  blood  run 
cold.  She  continued,  I  am  glad  it  is  gone,  for  it 
is  a  stranger  to  my  sorrows. 

What  a  horrible  comment,  this,  upon  the  cruel- 
ties of  slavery.  The  slave-mother's  joy  begins  not 
like  that  of  other  mothers ;  "  when  a  man  is  born 
into  the  world;"  but  when  her  infant  is  hurried 
out  of  existence,  and  its  first  faint  cry  is  hushed  in 
the  silence  of  death !  Why  this  perversion  of 
nature?  Ah!  that  mother  knows  the  agonies,  the 
torments,  the  wasting  woes  of  a  life  of  slavery,  and 
by  the  bowels  of  a  mother's  love,  and  the  yearn- 
ings of  a  mother's  pity ;  she  rejoices  to  know  her 
babe  shall  never  experience  the  same. 

But  will  God  be  avenged  on  such  a  nation  as 
this  ?  The  withering  displeasure  of  heaven  can  be 
seen  standing  out  in  bold  relief  upon  the  whole 
face  of  the  country.  Their  soil  is  rendered  sterile 
by  the  burning  foot  of  slavery. — Their  fields  are 
converted  into  forests;  their  fences,  their  houses  and 
their  bams,  are  dilapidated,  and  the  very  air 
poisoned  with  the  effluvia  from  the  mangled  body 
of  humanity  which  lies  bleeding  on  every  planta- 
tion. In  a  word,  slavery,  like  the  mighty  incubus, 
standing  with  one  foot  on  the  neck  of  the  master, 


22  THE  LIFE  OF 

and  the  other  on  that  of  the  slave,  crushes  them 
physically,  intellectually  and  morally  into  the  very 
earth,  and  leaves  them — leaves  them,  did  I  say  ? 
No !  keeps  them  there  struggling  for  life. 

The'evening  of  October  23d,  I  found  myself  at 
Indiana,  having  terminated  a  fatiguing  journey  of 
six  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  I  rested  till  Sabbath ; 
in  the  evening,  preached  in  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal house;  I  tried  to  enforce  the  doctrine  of 
universal  love  and  the  duty  of  doing  unto  others 
as  we  would  have  them  do  to  us,  without  reference 
to  class,  color  or  condition,  etc.  Some  of  them 
said  "  That  was  just  what  they  always  believed. '» 
There  is  much  more  anti-slavery  sentiment  in  this 
part  of  North  Carolina  than  I  had  supposed. 
This  is  owing,  in  a  great  measure,  to  the  influence 
of  the  society  of  Friends.  It  is  said  the  treatment 
of  the  slaves  is  much  modified  by  their  presence  j 
and  as  they  are  numerous  in  this  community, 
slavery  is  seen  in  its  mildest  form.  It  is  some- 
what amusing  too,  that  I  am  taken  for  a  Quaker, 
go  wherever  I  will.  I  attended  their  meeting 
Sabbath  morning,  after  my  arrival,  and  even  the 
Friends  themselves,  thought  I  was  one.  After 
hearing  me  preach  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
house,  some  of  them  asked  if  I  was  not  a  Friend. 
I  went  to  Toledo  last  week,  lectured  on  temper- 
ance, and  there,  again.  I  was  thought  to  be  a 
Quaker.  This,  I  suppose,  is  owing  some  to  the 
doctrine  I  inculcate,  and  partly  to  my  plain  coat. 
Upon  the  whole,  the  prospect  is  pretty  encourag. 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  23 

ing;  the  hearts  of  many  are  open  to  receive  the 
truth,  and  by  the  help  of  God's  grace,  I  mean  to 
sow  the  *seid  of  the  word,  praying  that  the  great 
head  of  the  Church  may  give  a  large  increase. 
And  now,  at  the  commencement  of  my  labors,  let 
me  call  upon  the  whole  Church,  and  every  lover  of 
God,  and  friend  of  man,  to  send  up  their  earnest, 
faithful,  importunate  and  prevailing  prayers,  that 
Heaven  would  smile  propitiously  upon  the  cause  in 
North  Carolina;  the  good  of  our  common  Christi- 
anity and  common  country ;  the  sacred  demands  of 
the  trembling,  weeping,  bleeding,  perishing  slave, 
and  the  high  and  holy  claims  of  the  Holy  One 
require  it;  yea,  and  future  posterity  will  say, 
Amen. 

It  is  not  a  little  interesting,  and  amusing,  to 
trace  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Church,  in  our 
state.  Dr.  Stanton,  a  Quaker,  brought  into  this 
country  some  pamphlets,  containing  the  address 
delivered  by  brother  E.  Smith,  in  the  Sixth 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  Cincinnati,  March  19? 
1843.  from  Rom.  xiii,  10, — two  thousand  of  which, 
were  printed  at  the  expense  of  the  Society  of 
Friends.  The  printer  neglecting  to  state  the  office 
in  which  it  was  printed,  Mr.  C,  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  preacher  then  traveling  the  Guilford 
Circuit,  (who  was  silenced  by  a  Conference,  held 
at  G.  a  few  weeks  ago,)  faithfully  charged  his 
hearers  not  to  read  them,  or  even  suffer  them  to 
come  into  their  houses.  He  stated  they  contained 
no  truth — were  a  mass  of  pernicious  errors — were 


24  THE  LIFE  OF 

anonymous,  and  that  it  was  not  known  where  they 
were  printed,  etc.  But  alas  !  for  him  that  he  was 
not  a  Pope,  for  then  would  his  Bull,  have  been 
Law.  Nor  would  he  have  resuscitated  these  per. 
nicious  errors,  and  buried  himself  in  the  tomb  he 
intended  for  them.  What  he  said  served  to  excite 
the  curiosity  of  his  hearers,  which  led  mauy  of 
them  to  procure  the  interdicted  pamphlet,  before 
they  went  home.  They  were  read  with  avidity, 
and  circulated  with  industry.  The  result  was, 
they  aroused  the  public  mind  with  all  the  potency 
of  truth,  and  many  who  had  defended  Slavery  from 
the  Bible,  changed  their  language,  and  said,  "No 
Slaveholder  can  be  a  Christian !"  Brother  Smith 
said,  at  Conference,  he  wished  himself  young,  that 
he  might  go  to  N.  C,  but  he  was  here  several 
years  before  me,  through  the  agency  of  his  address. 
The  next  circumstance  leading  the  way  to 
secession  here,  was  the  division  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  The  delegate  from  N.  C,  to 
the  Southern  Convention,  was  instructed  to  oppose 
a  split,  but  he  was  influenced  by  the  members  of 
said  Convention,  to  vote  with  the  South, — so  that 
the  N.  C.  Conference  was  voted  into  the  southern 
division,  contrary  to  her  wish,  and  instructions.  I 
have  been  told  the  feelings  of  this  Conference  were 
so  exasperated,  that  it  refused  to  submit,  and  could 
not  hold  its  succeeding  session.  Be  that  as  it  may, 
one  thing  is  certain,  it  tamely  consented  for  Bishop 
Andrew  to  preside  at  its  last  session.  But  when 
the  division  took  place,   the   cherished  -hopes   of 


REV     ADAM     CROOKS.  2£> 

many,  that  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  would 
eventually  free  herself  of  the  sin  of  making  mer- 
chandise "  of  slaves,  and  souls  of  men/'  were 
completely  blasted.  Their  first  expedient  was,  to 
join  the  Northern  Division,  but  soon  found  it  im- 
practicable. They  then  resolved,  (some  of  those 
many,)  to  form  a  third  Church,  which  they  did,  and 
called  it  the  Free  Methodist  Church. 

"  Up  to  this  time,  they  had  no  knowledge  of  the 
existence  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection. 
By  some  unknown  agency,  (perhaps  an  angel  of 
mercy,)  they  became  apprised  of  it, — sent  for  our 
Discipline, — met  in  Convention, — read,  approved, 
and  adopted  it,  and  at  their  request,  came  under 
the  supervision  of  the  Allegheny  Conference. 
Since  then,  they,  like  an  ocean  rock,  have  stood 
unmoved,  while  the  mighty  waves  of  opposition 
have  spent  their  furious  power,  in  vainly  essaying 
to  overwhelm  them ;  and  blessed  be  God,  they  still 
stand,  or  rather  move  forward,  despite  of  all  that 
would  oppose.  On  my  arrival,  the  cry  of  '  amal- 
gamation, nigger-thief,  abolition,'  which  are  synon- 
omous  terms  here,  went  careering  in  frantic  alarm 
through  the  entire  community ;  but  that  has  measur- 
ably subsided.  On  the  whole  I  cannot  complain, 
other  churches  have  been  pretty  courteous,  in 
opening  their  pulpits,  especially  the  Protestant 
Methodist.  Calls  for  me  to  preach  are  numerous — - 
Congregations  generally  large.  I  seldom  preach 
without  denouncing  the  peculiar  institution ;  mostly 

I  have  slave-holders  to  hear.     We  held  our  first 
2 


26  THE  LIFE  OF 

quarterly  meeting  on  the  third  Saturday  and  Sab- 
bath in  December;  congregations  full,  and  very 
attentive.  Sabbath  morning  at  11  o'clock  we  had  a 
meeting,  weeping  and  rejoicing  time.  It  was  the 
first  communion  held  by  the  Wesleyans  in  North 
Carolina.  The  Lord  strengthened  and  comforted 
our  hearts. 

"  Last  Sabbath  I  read  our  general  rules,  to  a 
large  and  deeply  attentive  concourse ;  indeed  it  was 
affecting  to  witness  the  profound  interest  with 
which  young  and  old  stood  and  listened  for  near 
two  hours ;  1  say  stood,  for  there  was  room  for 
only  about  half  of  the  congregation  in  the  house ; 
so  that  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  standing  in 
the  door  to  be  heard  by  those  out  as  well  as  inside 
the  house.  When  I  read  our  rules  on  slavery, 
I  pledged  to  prove  before  I  took  my  seat  that 
the  Wesleyans  occupy  the  platform  erected  by 
primitive  Methodists,  on  the  subject  of  slavery, 
viz. :  that  they  made  slaveholding  a  test  of  member- 
ship. To  prove  which  I  read  from  Robert  Emeroy's 
History  of  Discipline,  stating  the  authority  I  gave 
was  written  by  a  Methodist  Episcopal  hand,  printed 
on  a  Methodist  Episcopal  press,  published  under 
Methodist  Episcopal  authority,  and  issued  from 
a  Methodist  Episcopal  Book-room.  After  having 
shown  from  that,  the  action  of  the  Church,  before^ 
at,  and  after,  its  origination,  I  claimed  to  have 
redeemed  my  pledge,  with  the  clearness  of  demon- 
stration, and  if  the  countenance  is  to  be  taken  as 
an  index  to  the  mind,  I  think  the  congregation  was 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  27 

ready  to  give  a  verdict  in  our  favor.  We  have 
subscriptions  for  the  erection  of  three  houses  of 
worship ;  the  parcels  of  ground  on  which  they  are 
to .  stand,  are  donated,  and  I  think  the  prospects 
for  success  encouraging.  It  is  the  opinion  of  some 
of  the  most  intelligent  men  of  North  Carolina  that 
she  will  be  a  free  State  before  many  years ;  and 
that  in  the  event  of  a  dissolution  of  the  Union, 
North  Carolina  will  go  with  the  North.  The  great 
spirit  of  Liberty  is  beginning  to  breathe  upon  the 
people.  If  her  hosts  but  rally  under  her  standard, 
inspired  by  a  generous  patriotism  and  noble 
philanthropy,  resolved  with  the  Spartan  soldier,  to 
return  '  with  our  shields,  or  upon  them,'  the  day  is 
not  far  distant,  when,  under  the  smiles  of  the  God 
of  Liberty,  her  fair  tree  will  shoot  its  top  to  the 
sun,  and  cast  its  cooling  shades  over  the  oppressed 
of  every  land.  We  believe  the  death  warrant  of 
American  slavery  is  sealed  in  heaven,  and  the 
angel  of  mercy  commissioned  to  execute  it  speed- 

iiy- 

"  I  think  I  never  enjoyed  more  deep  and  constant 
communion  with  my  Savior  than  since  I  came  to 
North  Carolina,  ?  Jesus  all  the  day  long  is  my 
joy  and  my  song.'  My  daily  prayer  is,—'  0,  Lord, 
revive  thy  work.'  I  long  to  see  the  pillar  of 
divine  glory  rise,  and  the  ark,  and  people  of  the 
covenant  move  forward.  May  the  Lord  speed  the 
day. 


28  THE  LIFE  OF 


DEDICATION  OF  THE  FIRST  WESLEYAN  METH- 
ODIST CHURCH  IN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

"  "With  grateful  emotions,  I  take  my  pen  to  give 
the  readers  of  your  excellent  sheet,  a  statement  of 
the  dedication  of  the  first  Wesleyan  Methodist 
Church  in  North  Carolina,  with  a  brief  history  of 
our  success.  Our  Second  Quarterly  Meeting,  which 
commenced  the  third  Saturday  in  March,  was  held 
in  a  new  house  erected  for  the  worship  of  Almighty 
God,  through  whose  sovereign  clemency,  and  the 
liberality  of  the  friends  of  God  and '  Man,  in  the 
community,  it  was  completed.  The  dedicatory 
discourse  was  pronounced  from  1st  Tim.  iii:  15. 
The  use  made  of  the  text  was,  to  show  The  office  of 
the  Church, — viz.  first,  to  support  as  a  pillar, — ■ 
secondly,  to  elevate, — and  thirdly,  in  times  of  trial, 
to  stay,  ihe  truth.  This  is  to  be  done,  first,  by 
not  shunning  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God, — 
secondly,  by  the  practice  of  all  Christian  duty, — 
thirdly,  by  the  faithful  execution  of  Discipline,— and 
lastly,  if  need  be,  meekly  and  patiently  suffering, 
for  so  doing. 

"  The  position  was  taken,  that  an  ecclesiastical 
organization,  not  maintaining  the  whole  truth,  must 
support  some  error,  there  being  no  neutral  ground 
on  any  moral  question.  '  He  that  is  not  for,  is 
against  me.  He  that  gathereth  not  with  me, 
scattereth  abroad,'  said  Jesus.      From  all  this,  the 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  29 

following  conclusion  is  unavoidable :  That  it  is  the 
imperative  duty  of  Christians,  to  disconnect  themselves 
from  corrupt  Churches !  To  be  in  connection  with 
such  a  Church,  is  to  support  it,— to  support  it  is  to 
support  error  j  for  it  is  the  pillar  and  stay  of  error: — 
hence,  the  solemn  command  from  Heaven  contained 
in  Rev.  xviii :  4. 

"  The  Quarterly  Conference  gave  me  leave  to  vis- 
it Virginia,  some  time  this  Summer,  as  I  received  a 
call  from  the  mother  of  Presidents  to  that  effect. 
Sabbath,  I  spoke  to  a  large,  attentive,  and  deeply 
affected  concourse,  from  Isaiah  xxv,  1 : — I  am  told 
it  had  the  happy  effect  of  killing  much  prejudice. 
We  were  favored  with  the  acceptable  labors  of  our 
worthy  brother,  D.  Wilson.  He  is  one  of  the 
Spartan-like  band,  who  dared  to  brave  the  popular 
current,  and  boldly  fling  the  Wesleyan  flag  to  the 
breeze,  and  manfully  maintain  its  claims.  Brother 
W.  preached  on  Sabbath  night,  when  the  Lord 
graciously  poured  out  His  Spirit  and  dedicated 
the  house,  by  filling  it  with  His  glory,  and  one 
professed  to  find  peace.  The  meeting  was  pro- 
tracted ten  days.  I  have  no  recollection  of  having 
witnessed  such  displays  of  the  virtue  of  love  divine? 
to  subdue  the  carnal  mind.  An  incident  occurred 
on  Wednesday,  worthy  of  note.  A  woman,  who 
had  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
a  number  of  years,  became  so  deeply  convicted  at 
home,  she  had  to  quit  work — sent  for  her  neigh, 
bors  to  pray  for  her — said  she  had  been  trying, 
for  a  long  time,  to  get  to  Heaven  in  her  own  way? 


30  THE  LIFE  OF 

but  saw  she  could  not  succeed.  She  came  to  meet- 
ing that  night,  and  as  I  arose  to  preach,  her  feelings 
so  completely  overcame  her,  that  without  regard 
to  the  order  of  the  meeting,  she  arose  and  made 
her  way  to  the  altar.  I  invited  the  mourners  for- 
ward,  stating  the  Lord  would  not  let  me  preach 
that  night.  The  house  and  surrounding  country 
was  soon  rendered  vocal  with  the  cries  of  seekers, 
and  the  shouts  of  saints.  During  the  meeting? 
twelve  touched  by  faith,  the  sceptre  of  mercy  and 
were  at  peace.  The  same  number  joined. — nine 
from  the  world,  two  from  the  Primitive  Methodists; 
and  one  from  the  Episcopal  Methodists.  All  glory 
to  Him  whose  wing  of  love  overshadowed  us. 

"  On  last  Sabbath  I  formed  a  class  of  twelve 
members  in  R.  county,  which  promises  an  abundant 
increase.  Father  Briles,  who  has  been  a  standard- 
bearer  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for 
about  forty  years,  said,  'we  must  build  a  large 
church, — oh !  I  feel  such  an  interest  I  could  almost 
build  it  myself.'  An  old  gentleman,  who  had  seen 
me  but  once,  rode  ten  miles  to  hear  me  preach, 
gave  us  his  name.  I  asked  him  if  he  enjoyed  the 
comforts  of  religion, — he  answered  satisfactorily. 
Are  you  coming  from  another  church  ? — I  inquired. 
'  No,'  said  he,  1 I  never  could  join  in  consequence 
of  war  and  slavery !'  There  has  been  thirty-two 
accessions  this  year.  We  have  raised  the  walls  of 
a  second  church.  It  is  not  yet  covered.  Blessed 
be  Israel's  Keeper,  while  watering  others,  I  have 
felt  the  refreshing  showers  of  grace  in  my  own 


REV.  ADAM    CROOKS.  31 

soul.  I  want  to  bo  more  and  more  given  up  to 
Ood, — more  and  more  conformed  to  his  likeness 
every  day.  The  opposition  is  great,  but  He  that 
is  for  us,  is  greater  than  all  that  can  be  against  us. 
He  that  binds  the  mighty  deep  with  sand,  saying 
thus  far  shalt  thou  come,  and  here  shall  thy  proud 
waves  be  stayed,  has  decreed  that  the  wrath  of 
man  shall  praise  him,  and  the  remainder  of  that 
wrath  he  will  restrain.  I  would  earnestly  call  on 
the  readers  of  this,  to  join  with  me  in  praying  for 
our  enemies,  and.  blessing  those  who  curse  us, — 
remembering  the  prayer  that  went  up  from  the 
€ross,  Father  forgive,  they  know  not  what  they  do. 
I  subscribe  myself,  the  servant  of  God,  and  friend 
of  Mam 

OPPOSITION. 

"  I  need  not  say  that  the  opposition  to  my  course 
is  great.  My  image  was  tarred  and  feathered  in 
this  town.  [Jamestown.]  I  saw  it  the  next  day 
as  I  rode  by  the  place.  It  was  leaning  up  against 
the  fence.  Some  of  my  friends  are  beginning  to 
tremble  for  my  personal  safety^  but  my  trust  is  in 
the  Friend  of  the  poor,  the  Deliverer  of  the  op- 
pressed. 

"  The  law  is  very  strict  with  regard  to  the  circu- 
lation of  papers,  etc.  Efforts  have  been  made  to 
put  those  laws  into  execution  on  me,  but  failed. 
Meeting-houses  are  generally  closed  against  me? 
unless  it  is  the  Friend's,     I  have  received  upwards 


32  THE  LIFE  OF 

of  fifty  members.  We  now  number  between  nine- 
ty and  one  hundred.  I  expect  to  visit  Grayson 
county,  Ya.,  in  a  few  weeks. 

"  I  will  tell  you  a  little  about  the  pious  slave- 
holders. One  man,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  said  he  would  shoot  his  slaves  before  they 
should  be  free.  (See  how  these  Christians  (  ?)  — 
lov^e  Slavery.)  A  Methodist  preacher  tied  up  his 
slave,  whipped  him  a  while,  and  then  prayed  for 
him }  then  whipped  and  prayed  for  him,  whipping 
and  praying  alternately.  (His  name  is  Lumsden.) 
Another  by  the  name  of  St.  Clair  took  his  wife  and 
child  with  him  around  his  circuit,  and  his  slave 
girl  must  frequently  run  through  the  mud  and  jcold 
barefoot,  in  the  Winter.  Another  instance  of  cru- 
elty :  A  slave-trader  was  passing  through  this 
county  last  Winter  with  a  drove  of  negroes.  One 
of  them,  (a  man,)  got  an  axe  and  cut  his  hand ; 
several  licks  drove  the  axe  through  it,  thus  ren_ 
dering  it  useless,  doubtless,  for  ever.  For  this  he 
was  beaten  and  kicked  without  mercy.  These 
things  transpire  where  slavery  exists  in  its  mildest 
form,  and  if  this  is  its  little  finger,  what  are  its 
untold  horrors  ?  It  seems  to  me  I  hate  slavery 
more  every  day. 

"  Let  the  note  of  '  The  Clarion'  wax  louder  and 
louder ;  and  as  the  walls  of  Jericho  fell  by  the  sound- 
ing of  rams'  horns,  so  by  the  proclamation  of  the 
truth  lay  the  walls  of  slavery  to  their  foundations^ 

"As  I  write  on  business,  I  would  say  for  the 
satisfaction  of  our  Zion,  and  in  Reform  generally, 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  33 

that  the  state  of  our  work,  in  these  parts,  is  en- 
couraging. Our  Third  Quarterly  Meeting  was 
held  last  Saturday  and  Sabbath.  We  had  a  ' feast 
of  fat  things.'  Two  joined.  One  was  Wm.  An- 
derson, a  licensed  preacher  from  the  Primitive 
Methodists,  the  other  from  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  The  meeting  was  held  at  Flint  Hill 
School-house,  where  a  Church  of  twenty-three 
members  has  been  recently  formed,  and  trustees 
elected  prospectively,  I  think  the  circuit  is  in 
the  most  prosperous  condition  it  has  experienced 
since  its  formation.  We  number  about  one  hun- 
dred members,  fifty-eight  of  whom  have  united  this 
year.  The  harvest  is  great,  but  the  laborers  are 
few.  My  exertions  have  been  more  than  my 
physical  abilities  justify,  and  yet  calls  for  service 
are  multiplying.  Some  think  there  is  a  field  for 
two  or  three  active  men. 

"  I  propose  visiting  Virginia  next  week,  and  may, 
perhaps,  stay  a  month.  If  I  succeed  in  forming  a 
circuit,  or  mission,  in  that  part,  (Grayson  county,) 
of  the  Old  Dominion,  it  will  greatly  advance  the 
cause  here,  by  having  two  fields  sufficiently  adja- 
cent, to  enable  the  preachers  to  visit  and  assist 
each  other  in  holding  meetings,  &c. 

VISIT  TO  VIRGINIA. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  June,  I  set  out  to 
plant  the  standard  of  reform,  on  the  tops  of  the  moun- 
tains of  Grayson   County,  Virginia.     It  is  one  hun- 


34  THE  LIFE  OF 

dred  miles  from  this.  The  journey  was  somewhat 
lonely,  having  no  company,  but  it  is  good  at  times 
to  be  alone.  I  passed  at  the  base  of  Mount  Ararat, 
or  the  pilot  mountain.  This  is  North  Carolina's 
greatest  natural  curiosity.  It  is  not  attached  to 
any  chain  of  mountains— is  near  a  mile  in  height, 
and  on  its  brow,  is  a  stupendous  rock,  rising  near- 
ly perpendicular  to  the  height  of  three  hundred 
feet.  It  is  a  matter  of  surprise  to  look  to  the  tops 
of  the  loftiest  peaks  which  seem  to  touch  the  sky; 
and  find  them  under  cultivation.  The  daring 
mountaineer  builds  his  house  where  the  thunder's 
fiery  bolt  leaps  in  sportive  vengeance  from  brow  to 
brow.  The  evening  of  the  next  day  found  me  com- 
fortably seated  in  the  very  hospitable  residence  of 
Isaac  Moore.  I  need  scarcely  say  the  sparkling 
eye,  beaming  countenance,  and  warm  embrace  of 
the  old  veteran  for  truth,  almost  made  me  forget 
the  fatigue  of  my  journey.  I  here  obtained  the  fol- 
lowing information,  viz  :  When  the  question  of  the 
division  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was 
pending,  the  preacher  in  charge  of  Grayson  Circuit 
gave  the  members  liberty  to  vote  to  which  party 
North  or  South,  they  wished  to  belong.  The  Pre- 
siding Elder  on  hearing  this,  and  that  many  were 
opposed  to  the  separation,  issued  his  lbulV  interdict- 
ing such  procedure,  thereby  disfranchising  those 
who  had  not  voted.  I  am  not  sure  that  such  a 
course  is  in  strict  accordance  with  '  Neither  be  ye 
lords  over  God's  heritage.'  It  produced  a  shock 
from  which  many  never  recovered. 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  35 

"A  goodly  number  believing  that  slavery  was  the 
great  wedge  that  split  the  Church,  resolved  to  be 
disconnected  from  all  Church  organization  until 
they  found  one  free  from  the  wedge  of  gold  and 
Babylonish  garment.  The  majority  of  the  Hope- 
well Church  took  this  stand.  Here  I  organized  a 
Wesleyan  Church,  first  numbering  eight  members* 
During  the  next  week,  there  were  six  accessions  ;  so 
that  when  I  left  it  numbered  fourteen  members, 
one  of  whom,  (Isaac  Moore)  is  an  Elder.  During 
my  stay  which  was  sixteen  days,  the  spirit  of  the 
Lord  was  poured  upon  us,  the  Church  was  revived, 
and  six  professed  to  have  found  peace  in  believing. 
To  God  be  all  the  praise. 

"I  am  much  pleased  with  this  people.  Their 
hearts,  houses,  and  purses  are  open.  Indeed,  their 
kindness  borders  on  enthusiasm.  But  the  best  of 
all  is,  they  are  full  of  faith  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
A  preacher  is  asked  for  the  coming  year.  This 
will  be  a  pleasant  field  in  which  to  operate.  My 
faith  is  strong  that  a  glorious  harvest  may  be  reaped 
from  these  mountains. 

"  We  held  our  fourth  Quarterly  Meeting,  com- 
mencing  on  the  fourth  Saturday  of  July.  I  was  un- 
der the  necessity  of  leaving  on  the  Tuesday  morning 
following.  At  that  time  five  were  hopefully  convert- 
ed, and  twenty-one  had  joined  :  ten  from  the  world, 
and  eleven  from  other  Churches.  Bless  God,  the 
bright  rainbow  of  promise  still  spans  our  horizon. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  year,  there  were  four 
Churches,  and  forty  members  in  North  Carolina. 


36  THE  LIFE  05* 

At  present  there  are  eight  Churches ;  and  including 
Virginia,  one  hundred  and  forty  members.  We 
have  an  increase  of  one  hundred.  I  calculated  when 
I  came,  if  we  held  our  own  the  first  year,  we  would 
do  well;  but  instead  of  the  waves  of  opposition 
beating  us  back,  the  Lord  has  more  than  trebled 
our  number.  May  we  not  join  with  the  Psalmist  ?— - 
and  say,  '  By  this  I  know  that  thou  favorest  us,  be- 
cause our  enemies  do  not  triumph  over  us.'  " 

"  As  you  are  reappointed  to  the  editorship  of  our' 
Church  organ,  and  I  to  my  previous  field  in  Caroli- 
na, I  am  happy  in  the  anticipation  of  extending  my 
acquaintance  with  you  as  an  editor  j  and  while  I  re" 
turn  you  my  hearty  thanks,  for  former  indulgence 
extended  to  a  young  correspondent,  I  would  beg1 
the  continuance  in  future  of  the  same  indulgence 
promising  to  aim  at  improvement, 

"Brother  Bacon  and  myself  left  our  friends  on  the 
morning  of  the  2nd  of  October,  to  go  to  our  re- 
spective fields ;  Ms  in  Grayson  County,  Virginia, 
mine  in  Guilford,  North  Carolina.  We  came  by  pri- 
vate conveyance,  and  found  it  much  more  pleas- 
ant and  less  expensive  than  by  public ;  although 
not  so  expeditious.  After  having  contended 
against  hills,  mountains  and  distances  for  fifteen 
days,  on  the  evening  of  the  17th  of  the  above  writ- 
ten month,  we  had  the  gratification  of  being  seated 
around  the  familiar  hearth  of  the  hospitable  resi- 
dence of  my  good  friend  Richard  Mendenhall, 
in  Jamestown.  The  same  evening  we  visited 
our    worthy    brother    John    Sherwood,     (also    of 


HEV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  37 

Jamestown,)  and  found  him  over  his  press,  laud- 
ably employed  in  printing  Free-soil  Tickets.  The 
following  Saturday,  we  commenced  our  first  Quar- 
terly Meeting  (in  the  first  Wesleyan  Methodist 
church  built  in  the  State,)  and  protracted  it  six 
days.  The  congregations  were  large  and  deeply 
attentive.  Brother  Bacon  preached  with  great 
power  and  acceptability.  While  breaking  the 
bread  of  life  to  others,  his  own  soul  feasted  on  the 
rich  blessings  of  the  Gospel.  During  the  progress 
of  the  meeting,  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  was  gracious, 
ly  poured  upon  the  people ;  ten  professed  to  obtain 
peace  in  believing,  and  seven  joined.  On  the  next 
Saturday,  we  proceeded  to  Sandy  Ridge,  Here  we 
held  a  few  days'  meeting,  at  which  we  were  favored 
with  the  presence  and  labors  of  our  good  brother 
Amos  Moore,  from  Virginia.  The  meeting  resulted 
in  the  hopeful  conversion  of  five,  and  addition  of 
seven  to  the  Church.  To  God  be  all  the  glory.  In 
a  sermon  preached  on  Monday  from  John  xv :  5, — 
"For  without  me  ye  can  do  nothing,"  Brother  Ba" 
con,  in  a  very  lucid  light,  showed  up  the  grand  in- 
consistency in  which  those  involve  themselves  who 
say  of  a  practice  it  is  sinful,  and  yet  claim  that  it  is 
proper  to  acknowledge  the  Christian  character  of 
persons  living  in  the  habitual  indulgence  of  that 
sinful  practice.  It  was  a  most  happy  effort ;  which 
with  his  other  labors  of  love  here,  will  not  be  soon 
forgotten  by  us.  While  he  was  here,  which  was 
thirteen  days,  he  delivered  fourteen  sermons  which 
were  crowned  with  fifteen  conversions  and  fourteen 


38  THE  LIFE  OP 

accessions.     I  think  the  prospects  for  our  future  sue* 

cess  good ;  and  that  we  may  bless  G-od  and  take 


THE  CAMP-MEETING. 

"  With  grateful  emotions,  I  lift  my  pen  to  in- 
form the  friends  of  Zion  of  what  great  things  the 
Lord  has  done  for  us,  that  we  may  be  thankfully 
glad.  In  harmony  with  the  expressed  wishes  of 
our  third  Quarterly  Conference,  we  appointed  a 
Camp-meeting  to  be  held  at  Union  Meeting  House, 
Guilford  County,  in  conjunction  with  our  fourth 
Quarterly  Meeting. 

"  In  a  little  time  there  appeared  many  prophets  in 
the  land,  who  were  Wroth,  and  mocked  the  Wesley- 
ans,  saying,  'What  do  these  feeble  Wesleyans? 
Will  they  fortify  themselves  ?  Will  they  sacrifice  ? 
Will  they  make  an  end  in  a  day  ?  Even  that  which 
they  build  if  a  fox  go  up,  he  shall  even  break  down 
their  stone  wall.' 

"But  we  prayed  to  our  God,  (for  we  were  de-^ 
gpised)  and  built  our  tents,  and  all  the  tents  were 
formed  together  unto  the  half  thereof,  for  the  peo- 
ple had  a  mind  to  work.  Our  meeting  was  to 
commence  on  Friday  evening,  10th  of  August,  at 
candle-lighting.  By  sundown,  Brothers  J.  C.  Bacon, 
Amos  Moore,  from  Virginia,  and  myself  arrived  at 
the  place  of  our  feast  of  Tabernacles ;  found  a  good- 
ly number  assembled  for  Divine  worship.  Brother 
Bacon  preached  to  an  attentive  and  deeply  affected 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  39 

congregation.  Saturday  11,  A.  M.,  I  tried  to 
preach  oil  the  subject  of  prayer.  At  the  conclusion, 
the  congregation,  by  rising  to  their  feet,  pledged  to 
pray  for  a  glorious  revival  during  the  meeting. 

"  Five,  P.  M.,  the  rules  for  the  government  of  the 
Meeting  were  read,  and  the  entire  congregation, 
and  all  succeeding  ones,  appointed  a  committee  to 
see  that  they  were  strictly  observed ;  (and  I  must 
give  honor  to  whom  honor  is  due.)  So  faithful 
were  they  in  the  discharge  of  their  official  duties 
that  I  had  no  cause  to  reprove  an  individual  during 
the  whole  meeting.  This  was  most  agreeable.  At 
candlelight,  Brother  Bacon  delivered  a  solemn  dis- 
course from  2nd  Peter,  iii  and  9,  '  The  Lord  is 
not  slack,'  <fec,  to  a  serious  congregation,  after 
which  the  good  work  begun.  A  number  came  for. 
ward  for  prayers,  and  some  professed  to  obtain  mer- 
cy in  believing.  The  meeting  increased  in  interest 
as  it  progressed.  More  or  less  present  for  prayers 
every  opportunity.  The  Angel  of  Conviction  and 
voice  of  pardon  went  from  the  stand  to  the  tents, 
from  the  tents  to  the  houses,  and  from  the  houses  to 
the  fields  and  gold  mines.  What  was  it  but  heaven 
in  miniature  ?-— for  the  voices  of  old  and  young,  male 
and  female,  fathers  and  mothers,  husbands  and 
wives,  parents  a,nd  children,  neighbors  and  friends, 
to  go  up  in  bursts  of  hallelujah  to  God  and  the 
Lamb,  Sweet  was  our  camp-meeting,  which  lasted 
from  the  evening  of  the  10th  till  the  morning  of  the 
20th  inst,  during  which  about  one  hundred  and  fif- 
ty professed  to  be  converted  and  seventy-six  joined. 


40  THE  LIFE  OF 

This  was  the  best  meeting  I  have  ever  attended,  It 
was  characterized  throughout  by  large  and  atten- 
tive congregations,  by  far  the  best  order  I  have  ever 
seen  at  camp-meetings,  deep  and  general  convic- 
tions and  clear  and  numerous  conversions.- — The 
conclusion  was  awfully  impressive.  A  people  about 
to  part  who  will  not  all  meet  again  in  time  !*H 
The  congregation  assembled  at  the  stand.  Brother 
Bacon  delivered  a  benedictary  from  Thessalo- 
nians.  Brother  Moore  followed  in  some  feeling 
appeals.  The  congregation  in  tears.  The  wrL 
ter  occupied  a  few  minutes  in  returning  his  com* 
pliments  to  the  audience  for  their  good  conduct 
through  the  meeting,  to  brothers  Bacon  and  Moore 
for  their  attendance  and  labors  at  the  meeting,  and 
thanks  to  God  for  the  out-pouring  of  his  Spirit  on 
the  meeting,  made  allusion  to  Brother  Bacon's  trial 
which  was  to  come  in  a  few  days,  requested  the  au- 
dience to  acknowledge  their  obligations  to  the 
brethren  from  Virginia,  by  promising  to  pray  for 
them,  which  they  almost  unanimously  did,  with 
great  feeling;  then  forming  a  procession,  the 
preachers  in  advance,  marched  around  in  front  of 
the  tents,  singing  an  appropriate  hymn.  The 
preachers  halted  at  a  specified  spot,  and  received 
the  hand  of,  and  pronounced  their  blessing  on  all 
and  parted,  to  meet  not  again,  till  we  pass  the  por- 
tals of  death,  when  we  hope  to  strike  glad  hands 
and  tune  our  harps  to  immortal  songs,  in  the  sweet 
grove  of  heaven,  no  more  to  sigh  nor  shed  a  tear, 
no  more  to  suffer  pain  or  fear,  but  sing  anthems  of 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  4  1 

praise,  and  doxologies,  glory  to  God  and  the  Lamb. 
Amen.  It  is  reserved  for  the  light  of  eternity  and 
disclosures  of  judgment  alone,  to  reveal  the  good 
done  at  the  first  Wesleyan  Methodist  Campmeeting, 
held  in  North  Carolina,  but  I  think  we  may  safely 
conclude  that  the  gospel  has  been  preached,  sinners 
have  been  convicted,  mourners  have  been  comfort- 
ed, believers  strengthened,  the  cause  of  reform  ad- 
vanced prejudice  crucified,  (died  a  most  ignomini- 
ous death,)  Christ  to  some  extent  has  seen  of  the  tra- 
vail of  his  soul  and  is  satisfied,  pious  intelligence 
gratified,  and  God's  name  glorified.  The  cause  has 
been  prosperous  from  its  commencement.  The  in- 
crease of  its  membership  the  first  year  from  forty 
to  one  hundred  and  forty,  including  fourteen  who 
joined  in  Virginia  last  Fall,  when  brother  Bacon 
took  charge  of  Grayson  Circuit.  It  reduced  the 
Guilford  Charge  fourteen,  leaving  one  hundred  and 
twenty-six.  There  has  been  an  increase  this  year 
of  one  hundred  and  forty-nine ;  so  that,  at  this  time, 
there  are  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  members  on 
Guilford  Circuit.  Brother  Bacon's  Charge,  last 
Fall  numbered  eighteen.  It  has  increased  to  one 
hundred  and  eleven ;  so  that  the  Wesleyans  in  the 
South,  two  years  ago,  counted  forty,  all  told,  enjoy- 
ing the  labors  of  one  man  the  first,  and  but  two  the 
second  year,  now  number  three  hundred  and  eighty- 
six,  giving  an  increase  of  three  hundred  and  forty- 
six.  What  now  becomes  of  the  objection  that  we 
can  do  no  good  in  the  South  ?  Echo  answers, 
what !     And  this  is  our  infancy,  while  the  Herods 


42  THE  LIFE  OF 

of  the  South  have  been  trying  to  murder  us» 
Blessed  be  the  Most  High,  the  Wesleyan  Ship  still 
bears  up  against  wind  and  tide. 

"I  know  I  do  not  write  with  the  feelings  of  a 
proud  boaster,  or  unkindness  for  such  as  oppose 
our  progress,  but  with  sentiments  of  the  greatest 
respect  for  all  men,  and  of  the  most  profound  grat- 
itude to  God,  the  God  in  whom  David  trusted? 
when  he  encountered  Goliath  of  Gath.  And  I 
write  for  the  purpose  of  convincing  our  foes,  that 
they  have  judged  us  wrongly,  and  treated  us  ac- 
cordingly ;  and  of  inspiring  in  our  friends  a  confi- 
dence, which  the  correctness  of  our  principles,  the 
rectitude  of  our  procedure,  the  holiness  of  our 
cause,  and  the  certainty  of  its  triumph,  through  the 
omnipotence  of  truth,  would  warrant,  and  courage 
in  proportion  to  that  confidence  ;  that  they  may 
lift  their  standard  anew,  unfurl  its  bright  banner 
along  the  sky,  with  this  glorious  motto  written  in 
blazing  characters  of  Love,  glowing  on  its  ample 
folds,  '  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace, 
and  good  will  to  man.'  That,  under  Jesus,  the 
Captain  of  our  Salvation,  we  may  travel  to  certain 
victory,  with  the  panoply  of  heaven  to  cover,  and 
glory  imperishable  to  crown  us." 


TROUBLE. 

"It  is  among  the  probabilities  that  the  readers 
of  your  luminous  periodical  begin  to  inquire, 
'What    has   become    of    our   missionary    at    the 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  43 

South?  Is  he  dead?  Has  he  left  his  post? 
Why  does  he  not  write  ?'  &c.  He  is  yet  at 
his  post.  His  reasons  for  not  writing  sooner 
are  part  for  want  of  matter,  and  part,  perhaps, 
from  neglect.  I  will  take  liberty  to  say  some- 
thing of  Guilford  Circuit,  under  the  zealous 
and  very  efficient  labors  of  brother  Mc  Bride. 
It  is,  and  has  been,  in  a  very  prosperous  state. 
During  this  Conference  year,  quite  a  number 
have  professed  to  obtain  peace  in  believing,  and 
seventy-four  have  joined  the  Church.  The  pros- 
pects for  a  rich  harvest  this  year  are  flatter- 
ing. The  heart  and  hands  of  its  pastor  are  full  of 
hope  and  of  work. 

"  A  few  words  relative  to  the  mission,  and  only 
a  few.  As  I  accompanied  brother*  Mc  Bride  in 
his  first  visit  round  the  Circuit,  I  did  not  strike 
out  till  the  first  of  January.  I  have  not  as  yet 
organized  any  Churches  but  expect  to  soon. 
There  are  six  appointments  which  we  will  call 
regular,  and  several  incidental.  The  extremes 
are  about  eighty  miles  apart. 

"I  am  extending  my  operations  Southward. 
Numerous  are  the  misrepresentations  ;  the  opposi- 
tion is  violent,  and  some  threats  are  being  made. 
I  will  give  you  an  instance : — On  the  evening 
of  the  11th  instant  I  preached  in  Montgomery 
county.  After  the  benediction,  a  couple  of  notes 
were  given  me.  One  signed  by  B.  W.  Simmons, 
stated  that  the  writer  had  just  returned  from 
the  courts  of  Montgomery   and   Stanly    counties, 


44  THE  LIFE  OF 

% 

and  was  requested  to  say  to  Die  by  many  citi- 
zens of  those  counties  that  should  I  attempt  to 
preach  at  or  near  Lane's  Chapel,  in  Montgome- 
ry county,  my  person  would  be  in  danger,  as 
it  was  understood  in  those  counties  that  I  am 
an  Abolitionist  and  Free-soiler.  The  other,  written 
by  the  same  hand  and  signed  "  Many  Citizens 
of  the  counties  of  Montgomery  and  Stanly,"  reads 
as  follows : 

Key.  Mr.  Crooks  :    Sir — 

u  I  have  heard  that  you  are  out  preaching  the  True 
Wesleyau  doctrines.  I  doubt  it  not,  though  am  fully  un- 
formed that  you  are  acting  behind  the  curtain — a  u  wolf  in 
sheep's  clothing" — that  you  are  preying  upon  the  minds  of 
the  weak  and  innocent,  and  inducing  them  to  believe  that 
slave- holding  is  not  only  an  oppression  to  the  slaves,  but  to 
all  those  who  do  not  hold  slaves.  The  slaves  hereabout 
are  in  much  better  condition  than  their  masters  or  other 
citizens!  Your  doctrine,  if  carried  out,  would  bring  down 
vengeance  upon  the  heads  of  your  followers  by  amalgama- 
tion and  otherwise. 

'  '  Our  different  denominations  here  are  at  peace  with 
and  among  themselves.  We  do  not  believe  you  to  be  sound , 
but  conscientiously  believe  you  to  be  worse  than  a  traitor. 
We  are  in  hopes  you  will  return  from  whence  you  came,  or 
you  will  be  dealt  with  according  to  the  dictates  of  our  con- 
sciences.' " 

"  The  above  needs  no  comment.  Suffice  it  to  say 
that  by  il  wo  arc  reminded  of  the  charge  preferred 
against  our  Savior,  of  casting  out  devils  by  Beelze- 
bub. In  harmony  with  the  wishes  of  many  in  that 
community,  I  left  another  appointment.  The  lan- 
guage of  my  heart  is,     'The  Lord  is  my  light  and 


RET.  ADAM  CROOKS. 

>*ny  salvation;  who  shall  I  fear?'  'TheLord  God 
is  a  sun  and  shield.'"  Truth  is  mighty  and  must 
prevail,  though  its  enemies  may  triumph  for  a  little 
season. 

•'My  earnest  prayer  is  that  the  Greal  Head  of 
the  Church  may  guide  us  unto  truth.  Brother  Mc- 
Bride  and  myself  start  for  Virginia  next  Monday, 
to  brother  Bacon's  trial,  which  comes  on  .the  first 
of  April,  and  his  third  Quarterly  meeting,  which 
commences  the  first  Saturday  of  April.  Your 
readers  will  be  advised  of  the  result  of  the  trial  as 
soon  as  practicable. 

IN  BONDS. 

"  A  few  days  since  brother  Mc  Bride  advised 
your  readers  of  his  arrest  and  my  indictment. 
Another  step  has  been  taken. 

"  As  the  writer  left  the  pulpit,  the  second  Sab- 
bath of  this  month,  he  was  introduced  to  two  men, 
one  of  whom  informed  him  that  he  must  consider 
himself  his  prisoner,  until  he  gave  security  in  one 
thousand  dollars  for  his  appearance  at  the  Superior 
Court  of  Forsyth  county,  on  the  second  Mon- 
day after  the  fourth  Monday  of  September  next. 
Though  in  a  community  where  my  acquaintance  is 
limited,  the  Lord  raised mp  friends  who  gave  bonds 
for  my  forthcoming  at  the  above  written  time  and 
place. 

"  The  charge  is  Misdemeanor.  I  do  not  know 
what  is  the  specification — I  presume  it  is  for  being 


46  THE  LIFE  OP 

in  company  when  brother  Mc  Bride  gave  the  '  Ten 
Commandments'  to  the  little  girl.  What  the  sequel 
of  these  things  will  be,  is  for  time,  the  great  advo- 
cate and  publisher  of  truth  to  tell.  It  will  do  to 
say,  I  have  labored  to  live  in  all  good  conscience 
before  God  until  this  day.  This  being  the  case,  I 
am  '  careful  for  nothing,  but  in  all  things  make 
my  request  unto  God.'  Thanks  to  his  name,  my 
mind  has  been  kept  in  perfect  peace.  We  may  be 
condemned  by  wicked  men,  our  backs  given  to  the 
scourge,  our  joints  to  the  pillory,  and  our  persons 
to  a  gloomy  cell,  and  it  matters  but  little,  it  matters 
nothing — prisons  would  palaces  prove,  for  Jesus 
would  dwell  with  us  there.  Let  our  destiny  be 
what  it  may,  the  bonds  of  our  habitations  be  where 
they  may,  the  cause  of  God  will  be  advanced.  The 
wrath  of  man  shall  praise  Him.  Let  the  potsherds 
of  the  earth  strive  with  the  potsherds  of  the  earth ; 
but  let  not  man  contend  with  his  Maker.  The 
Psalmists  prays,  'let  not  man  prevail.'  But  shall 
man  prevail  ?  What  says  reason  ?  Reason  answers. 
Not  until  he  clothe  himself  in  thunder,  and  make 
the  lightning  his  girdle ;  till  he  wear  the  sun  for  a 
crown,  the  moon  for  a  breastplate ;  the  stars  costly 
jewels  encircling  his  brow,  and  the  rainbow  as  his 
phylactery ;  not  until  his  ipsedixit  cause  the  immove- 
able pillars  and  imperishable  foundations  of  the 
throne  of  the  universe  to  crumble,  and  his  breath 
extinguish  the  fires  of  immortality  which  glow  in 
the  bosom  of  Diety. 

"You  have  been  advised   of  our   arrest   under 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  47 

charge  of  Misdemeanor,  for  giving  the  '  Ten  Com- 
mandments '  to  a  little  girl  in  Liberty,  a  village  on 
the  suburbs  of  Salem,  the  capital  of  Forsyth  county. 

"  To  answer  the  above  charge,  accompanied  by 
Bro.  Bacon,  Bro,  McBride  and  the  writer  made  our 
way  to  Salem  Forsyth  county,  on  the  7th  inst.  This  is 
a  Moravian  town  of  a  population  of  perhaps  fifteen 
hundred — rather  a  beautiful  place  for  this  country. 
The  inhabitants  are  generally  of  Dutch  descent. 
Though  the  Moravians,  and  even  this  Church  in  Sa- 
lem, were  once  opposed  to  the  peculiar  institution 
of  the  South,  many  members  of  Salem  Church  are 
slave-holders.  We  had  been  in  the  place  but  a 
short  time  ere  the  news  took  the  wings  of  electrici- 
ty, and  flew  through  the  entire  town,  '  The  preach- 
ers have  come  I !  The  abolitionists  are  here  ! ! ! ' 
Great  was  the  excitement  among  the  people.  Some 
said,  i They  ought  to  be  lynched  1'  others,  'They 
ought  to  be  hung!'  and  other  some,  'No  attorney 
ought  to  appear  for  them,'  &c,  &c. 

11  Perhaps  it  would  be  interesting  to  the  reader  to 
have  an  introduction  to  his  Honor,  the  judge  who 
presided,  and  the  lawyers  who  plead  at  the  trial. 

"The  judge  (Manly)  is  of  medium  size,  elegant 
form,  slightly  round-shouldered,  perhaps  about 
forty-five  years  of  age,  bright  keen  eyes,  large 
intellectual  faculties,  has  great  self-possession,  and 
presides  with  dignity.  From  his  decisions  and 
charges  to  the  jury,  &c,  the  reader  is  left  to  infer 
his  sense  of  justice. 

"Messrs.  Gilmer  and  Waddell  were  employed  on 


48  THE  LIFE  OF 

the  part  of  the  State ;  the  prosecuting  attorney,  Mr* 
Pondeqter,  did  nothing  but  assist  in  managing. 

"  The  defendants  employed  two  attorneys — Messrs 
Morehead  and  Mendenhall — the  largest  slave-hold- 
ers in  Guilford  county.  Mr.  Morehead  is  brother 
to  Ex-Governor  Morehead,  of  N.  C,  fs  rising  six 
feet  in  hight,  a  very  giant-like  man ;  a  full  brain, 
gigantic  mind,  great  courage,  and  is  said  to  be  the 
best  judge  of  law  in  the  State. 

"  Mr.  Mendenhall  is  a  little  over  six  feet,  well  pro- 
portioned, very  straight,  has  a  round,  high  head, 
light  auburn  hair,  mechanical  and  intellectual  pow- 
ers large ;  is  a  good  reasoner,  and  quite  gentle  - 
manly  in  his  manners. 

THE    INDICTMENT. 

"Contains  two  specifications.  The  first  charges 
1  Jesse  McBride  and  Adam  Crooks  9  of,  with  force 
and  arms,  knowingly,  wickedly  and  unlawfully, 
with  intention  to  excite  insurrection,  conspiracy, 
and  resistance  in  the  slaves  or  free  negroes  and 
persons  of  color  within  the  State,  bringing  into  the 
State  with  intent  to  circulate,  a  printed  pamphlet 
named  and  styled  the  'Ten  Commandments,'  the 
evident  tendency  of  which  pamphlet  would  be  and 
is  to  excite  insurrection,  conspiracy  and  resistance 
in  the  slaves  or  free  negroes  and  persons  of  color 
within  the  State,  containing,  with  others,  the  follow- 
ing incendiary  clauses :  (Here  are  inserted  some 
extracts  from  the  pamphlet) . .  Contrary  to  Act  of 
Assembly,  &c and  against  the  peace  and  dig- 
nity of  the  State. 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  49 

"The  second  specification  charges  the  said 'Jesse 
McBridc  and  Adam  Crooks'  of,  with  force  and  arm; 
wickedly,  seditiously,  knowingly  and  intentionally 
circulating  said  pamphlet  within  the  State,  with  an 
intent  to  incite  insurrection,  conspiracy  and  resist- 
ance in  the  slaves  or  free  negroes  and  persons  of 
color  within  the  State;  which  pamphlet,  with  other 
seditious  teachings  and  doctrines,  contains  the  fol" 
lowing:  (Then  follow  various  extracts  from  the 
pamphlet)  which  taken  separately,  or  with  the  bal- 
ance and  other  parts,  have  an  evident  tendency  to 

excite,  &c against  the  Act  of  Assembly,  &q.j 

and  against  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the  State. 

WITNESSES 

"  On  the  part  of  the  State  (the  defendants  had  no 
witnesses)  sworn  and  testify  the  following  : 

Washington  Kenedy.  -  That  defendants  stayed 
over  night  at  my  house  in  Liberty.  I  left  early  in 
the  morning;  returned  in  the  evening  and  found 
the  pamphlet  at  my  house.  They  behaved  like 
ministers. 

Lora  Kenedy. — McBride  gave  me  the  pamphlet 
in  the  absence  of  Crooks.  He  said  nothing  to  me 
when  he  gave  it.  I  think  this  is  the  one  he  gave 
me ;  I  put  no  mark  on  it  by  which  to  distinguish  it 
from  any  other  pamphlet  of  the  same  name.  I  go 
to  Sabbath  School ;  there,  are  no  colored  persons  at 
school  or  at  home. 

Just  here,  by  permission  from  the  Judge,  Wad- 
dell  read  the  pamphlet  in  open  court.  This  was 
done  to  identify  it. 


50  THE   LIFE  OF 

"  Mr.  Shore. — 1 1  saw  this  book  at  rny  house.  I  do 
not  know  who  brought  it.  I  did  not  read  it  or 
mark  it.  James  Kenedy  came  to  my  house  one 
morning  and  got  it.     I  think  this  is  the  same. 

"James  W.  Kenedy. — I  sawMcBride  give  a  little 
book  to  my  sister  Lora.  I  was  in  the  yard.  Crooks 
was  not  in  the  house.  My  father  sent  me  to  Mr. 
Shore's  after  it.     I  brought  it  to  Belo's  store. 

"  Edward  Belo. — I  got  this  book  of  James  W. 
Kenedy,     It  is  the  same  ;  I  put  my  name  on  it. 

"  Henry  Marshall.— I  heard  McBride  preach  at 
.  He  said  he  was  not  in  favor  of  amalga- 
mation or  insurrection;  was  opposed  to  war  of  all 
kinds;  would  not  have  the  slaves  take  swords  and 
guns  and  murder  their  masters;  he  was  the  friend 
both  of  the  slave  and  his  master.  And  he  invited 
us  to  come  to  his  trial  at  Salem ;  he  was  indicted 
for  giving  a  little  white  girl  the  '  Ten  Command- 
ments.' 

"  David  Idle. — Never  had  got  a  book,  pamphlet, 
or  tract  from  either  McBride  or  Crooks. 

"  Smith's  testimony  about  the  same  as  Marshall's^ 

"George  Fulk  knew  nothing  definite. 

"  Newel  Sapp.- — Heard  McBride  say  he  would 
preach  the  truth  independently,  and  Crooks  that 
he  would  suffer  his  right  arm  to  be  cut  off  rather 
than  with-hold  the  truth. 

"Witnesses  through;  go  to  dinner;  return;  now 
pleading  commences. 

ME.     MOKEHEAD, 

u  In  behalf  of  the  defendants,  commenced  his  lum* 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  51 

inous  plea  by  raising  the  following  point  of  law^ 
Though  the  indictment  charges  us  with  Misdemean- 
or, the  statute  makes  it  a  Felony.  Now  in  misde- 
meanors all  are  principals ;  but  this  is  one  of  those 
felonies  which  admits  of  accessories.  On  this 
ground  I  demand  an  acquittal  of  Crooks.  In  order 
to  convict  him  as  an  accessory,  you  must  not  only 
prove  that  he  was  in  company  at  the  time  the  pam- 
phlet was  given,  but  also  that  he  was  employed  in 
advising  or  assisting  to  give  it ;  but  the  very  con- 
trary is  proven.  This  is  necessary  to  make  him  an 
accessory,  but  he  is  charged  of  being  a  principal. 
But,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  the  State  has  made  a 
complete  failure  in  point  of  sufficient  evidence  to 
convict  McBride,  It  has  not  been  proven  that  the 
pamphlet  was  brought  into  the  State  by  McBride, 
so  that  it  is  impossible  to  convict  him  on  the  first 
charge, 

"I  now  institute  a  question.  It  is  this  : — What 
constitutes  a  violation  of  the  Act  ?  I  maintain  the 
pamphlet  must  have  been  given  with  "a  wicked  in- 
tent. If  this  is  not  so,  then  the  lawyers,  etc.,  who 
have  been  handing  this  pamphlet  to  and  fro  to  each 
other  are  every  one  subject  to  indictment.  The 
jury  cannot  convict  McBride,  unless  it  is  in  testi- 
mony that  he  gave  it  with  an  intent  to  bring  about 
the  evils  which  the  law  is  intended  to  prevent.  To 
prove  this  I  refer  you  to  the  very  familiar  case  of 
the  law  in  England  as  to  blood-letting.  The  law 
required  that  every  man  who  let  blood  in  the  streets 
of  London,  should  be  hung.     Now.  though  the  de- 


52  THE  LIFE   OP 

sign  of  the  law  is  plain,  that  it  was  to  prevent  mur- 
der  which  so  much  prevailed  in  that  populous  city, 
yet  there  were  actually  three  physicians  hung  for 
letting  blood  in  the  streets  in  order  to  save  the  lives 
of  persons  who  were  thrown  from  their  carriages. 
This  led  to  a  change  of  the  law,  so  that  it  required 
a  compound  offence,  or  the  overt  act  with  a  crimi- 
nal intent,  to  violate  that  law.  I  hold  that  this  case 
is  precisely  parallel.  Now,  what  is  the  evidence 
that  McBride  gave  the  pamphlet  with  a  wicked 
intent  ?  It  was  not  given  to  a  child  whose  par- 
ents held  slaves,  or  where  there  were  slaves. 
Lora  Kenedy  did  not  go  to  school  where  there 
were  slaves;  no  slaves  or  colored  persons  about. 
McBride  did  not  advise  Lora  to  make  an  improper 
use  of  it. 

"  But  again  :  if  the  pamphlet  is  an  exposition  of 
the  'Ten  Commandments'  then,  sirs,  the  defendants 
are  innocent.  All  Churches  have  an  absolute  right 
to  publish  their  sentiments  to  the  world.  The  pam- 
phlet is  not  addressed  to  slaves,  but  their  masters 
and  freemen.  (Here  the  speaker's  manner  grew 
quite  animated.)  The  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  and  of  this  State,  secures  to  every  man  the 
right  to  worship  Almighty  God  according  to  the 
dictates  of  his  own  conscience.  All  the  Churches 
but  one  of  which  I  have  any  knowledge  are,  or  pro- 
fess to  be  opposed  to  slave-dealing — some  more, 
some  less,  between  the  two  extremes.  Why  toler- 
ate all  others  and  proscribe  this  ?  He  showed,  in 
a  strong  and  happy  light  peculiar  to  himself,  the 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  53 

glorious  advantages  of  free  discussion  \  said  it  had 
saved  our  necks  from  the  galling  yoke  of  the  Church 
of  Rome,  Without  free  discussion  we  have  no 
Protestant  Church  ;  we  have  no  America. 

"■  The  'Ten  Commandments'  is  innocent  in  a  politi- 
cal point  of  view.  The  liberty  of  speech  and  of 
the  press  are  and  ought  to  be  tolerated.  Upon 
this  proposition  the  speaker  mesmerized  the  tre- 
mendous concourse  who  were  listening  with  mouth 
and  ears.  (Brother  McBride  at  my  side,  whispered, 
1  What  a  pity  he  is  not  a  preacher.') 

"  Mr.  M.  said  witnesses  were  brought  as  a  kind 
of  key  to  show  the  intent  of  the  circulation  of  the 
pamphlet,  and  they  all  show  Mr.  McBride  to  be  an 
innocent  and  prudent  man.  Every  man  is  an  abo- 
litionist who  dare  say  one  word  about  slavery.  I 
have  been  called  an  abolitionist  because  I  dared 
present  a  Quaker  petition  to  the  Legislature  of  this 
State,  though  every  man  is  sworn  to  present  every 
petition  sent  him.  Slavery  is  a  question  we  have  a 
perfect  right  to  discuss.  Strange,  indeed,  if  we 
dare  not  speak  our  sentiments.  Not  one  of  these 
men  had  at  any  time  conversed  with  slaves  in  a  low, 
sneaking  way.  Mr.  M.'s  speech  occupied  about  an 
hour. 

MR.  GILMER 

"  Said  he  did  not  arise  out  of  antipathy  to  the  de- 
fendants, but  from  a  sense  of  duty,  &c.  Said  we 
had  a  right  to  speak  of  slavery  privately,  but  never 
in  the  presence  of  slaves ;  that  "  knowingly  "  made 
the  design  of  the  law  obvious ;  that  Post  Masters 


54  THE  LIFE   OF 

might  hand  out  an  anti-slavery  document  ignorant- 
ly,  but  the  design  of  the  law  is  to  prohibit  any 
and  all  circulation  of  anti-slavery  publications,  eith- 
er among  white  or  colored  persons ;  that  the  law 
was  established  just  after  the  Southampton  insurrec- 
tion, and  was  made  with  great  care  and  caution ; 
that  these  men  certainly  brought  the  'Ten  Com- 
mandments' into  the  State.  McBride  was  recently 
from  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  the  fact  that  he  had  it 
in  his  possession  was  legal  evidence  that  he  brought 
it  into  the  State.  A  man  found  in  possession  of 
stolen  goods  was  in  law  considered  the  thief,  until 
he  showed  how  he  came  by  them.  So,  unless  they 
show  how  they  got  this  book,  they  must  be  consid- 
ered the  guilty  persons. 

"But  it  has  been  argued  that  the  pamphlet  was 
not  given  with  an  evil  intent.  The  law  supposes 
a  man  to  intend  all  that  may  legitimately  flow  from 
his  conduct.  Look  at  the  manner  in  which  the 
pamphlet  was  given  the  child.  That  he  did  not 
say  one  word  to  her  shows  clearly  his  intentions  in 
giving  her  the  book.  He  did  not  ask  her  to  read 
it  when  he  gave  it  to  her,  nor  did  he  on  his  return, 
at  the  time  of  giving  the  pamphlet  to  the  other 
children,  say,  u  Lora,  have  you  read  your  little 
book  ? — how  do  you  like  it  ?  "  or  anything  of  the 
kind.  No  ! — but  in  a  sneaking  and  sly  way,  when 
all  were  out  but  the  little  girl,  slips  to  his  trunk, 
and  hands  her  this  little  book.  Crooks,  in  order 
that  he  might  appear  innocent,  stepped  out  of  the 
house.     No  doubt  but  he  was  knowing  and  con- 


BEV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  55 

Bentive  to  It  all,  and  hence  accessory.  The  fact  of 
their  having  two  buggies  and  separate  trunks  does 
.not  clear  him.  They  travel  together;  what  one 
does  the  other  agrees  to.  (With  great  emphasis.) 
McBride  says  he  will  go  ahead  independently,  law 
or  no  law.  Crooks  says  he  will  suffer  his  right 
arm  to  be  cut  off  before  he  will  give  up  circulating 
such  pamphlets, 

"  The  speaker,  rising  in  feeling,  spoke  of  the  dread- 
ful consequences  of  circulating  such  incendiary  pub- 
lications^ of  McBride's  preaching,  said  it  would 
bring  on  insurrection.  Knives,  guns,  swords,  burn- 
ing houses,  cruelties  and  barbarities,  were  largety 
and  fearfulty  described.  Spoke  about  forty-five 
minutes. 

ME.    H.    VADDELL 

"  Said — I  have  often  stood  in  defence  of  criminals, 
but  never  felt  so  awfully  as  I  do  at  this  time.  I 
am  not  defending  one  life,  but  thousands  of  lives. 
I  am  pleading  for  my  country,  for  the  security 
and  safety  of  our  wives  and  children  The 
northern  people  are  the  last  men  to  teach  us  mor- 
als on  the  slavery  question,  since  many  of  them 
have  got  rick  by  selling  their  slaves.  The  aboli- 
tion of  slavery  has  been  put  off  by  Northern  fanat- 
ics. I  have  heard  a  Rev.  Mr.  McDonnell  give  a 
full  description  of  the  Southampton  insurrection 
a  day  or  two  since.  He  witnessed  this  horrible 
scene;  at  least  he  saw  mothers  and  innocent 
babes  lying  in  their  blood,  exposed  to  the  flies,  too 
numerous  to  bury.      I  think,  said  Mr.   W.,    Nat 


56  THE  LIFE  OF 

Turner  must  have  been  a  Wesleyan,  and  felt  lie 
was  commissioned  from  on  High  to  deliver  his  breth- 
ren. Read  from  Webster's  Dictionary  the  defini- 
tions of  the  terms  insurrection;  conspiracy,  and  re* 
sistance ;  commented  largely.  Said  though  slaves 
were  not  in  the  pamphlet,  advised  to  resist,  yet,  to 
let  a  slave  know  that  he  had  no  right  to  have 
his  sweat  and  blood  extracted,  was  calculated  to 
make  him  resist. 

«  Why  do  we  want  men  from  Ohio  to  come  and 
teach  us  morals  ?  We  have  preachers  enough  of 
our  own.  Ohio  is  nearly  or  quite  as  bad  a  place 
on  account  of  abolition  as  New  England.  Paul 
sent  Onesimus  home,  but  McBride  would  not, 
McBride  called  people  cowards.  What  language 
for  a  preacher ! !     He   (McBride)  is  a   bold  man. 

"  Here  some  pretty  strong  epithets  were  used,  E. 
G.  In  speaking  of  anti-slavery  doctrines,  the  speak- 
er called  them  hellish  principles,  &c.  The  sympa- 
thies and  fears  of  the  jurors  were  loudly  appealed 
to.  Mr.  W.  said — if  these  men  may  go  unpunished 
then  have  no  law  against  the  midnight  assassin. 
The  speaker  called  attention  to,  as  supremely  ex- 
ceptionable, the  words  of  Rev.  John  Wesley,  in  the 
pamphlet  where  he  speaks  as  follows  :  '  Whatever 
it  costs  put  a  stop  to  its  cry  before  it  be  too  late — 
instantly.'  The  word  instantly ,  Mr.  W.  thought 
was  very  significant.  It  seemed  to  be  the  Speak- 
er's misfortune,  during  his  entire  speech  of  about 
an  hour,  to  be  so  much  excited  as  not  to  be  able  to 


rev.  ADAM  CROOKS,  57 

master  his  feelings,  arid  of  course  neither  the  jury, 
the  audience,  nor  his  subject. 

G.    C.    MENDENHALL- 

"  Arose  with  a  countenance  bespeaking  mingled 
feelings  of  a  profound  sense  of  responsibility,  and 
a  deep  determination  to  discharge  his  duty  with 
firmness  and  integrity.  Spoke  of  the  great  ex- 
citement and  even  prejudice  against  the  defend- 
ants— even  counsel  is  denounced  within  this  bar,  for 
appearing  for  them.  Said  Mr.  M.,  with  thrilling 
emphasis— God  forbid  that  the  time  should  ever 
come  that  a  man,  an  American,  arraigned  before  a 
court  in  North  Carolina,  shall  appear  without  coun- 
sel because  no  man  at  the  bar  will  open,  his  mouth 
for  him.  The  man  who  has  license  in  his  pocket, 
or  at  home,  and  when  called  upon  refuses  to  step 
forward  in  behalf  of  a  criminal,  and  demand  the 
court  to  show  cause  why  he  should  be  convicted, 
ought  to  be  denounced  everywhere,  and  scouted 
from  the  North  Carolina  bar. 

"  In  the  discharge  of  my  duty  as  an  Attorney,  I 
appear  to  see  that  these  men  have  a  full,  fair  trial. 
Nor  do  I  arise  to  try  and  please  those  around  me, 
or  to  make  half  a  plea.  Said  Mr.  M. — Even 
this  jury  has  been  threatened,  provided  they  did 
not  convict  these  men.  Mr.  Waddell  informed  you 
that  '  if  you  clear  them,  you  may  see  the  day  you 
will  bitterly  regret  it.'  It  has  been  charged  upon 
them  that  they  have  come  into  our  midst  unasked 
for.  Why,  does  not  that  gentleman  know  they  are 
here  as  regular  ministers  of  the  Gospel ;     that  they 


58  THE  LIFE  OF 

were  sent  for  by  your  own  citizens ;  that  one  has  been 
here  three  years,  and  the  other  not  quite  so  long  ? 
They  preach  against  intemperance,  and  the  Morav- 
ians ought  not  to  oppose  them  on  this  ground  ;  and 
against  war,  just  as  the  Moravians  once  did.  The 
Quakers,  from  which  I  sprung  protest,  and  have  for 
a  hundred  years,  against  slavery. 

"  For  doing  nothing  more,  these  men  must  be 
dragged  up  before  this  court  as  felons,  and  com- 
pared with  Nat  Turner.  I  am  sorry  that  a  man 
(alluding  to  Waddell)  who  ventured  to  bring  so 
large  a  book  as  Webster's  Dictionary  before  this 
court,  to  teach  us  the  meaning  of  words— and  we 
acknowledge  ourselves  duly  informed — knows  no 
more  about  modern  history  than  not  to  know  the 
defendants  are  ministers  of  the  Church  organized 
in  1843.  Here  was  given  a  short  history  of  the 
Wesleyan  Church. 

"Is  it  in  testimony  that  these  men  have  at  any 
time  interfered  with  slaves  ?  Where  is  the  man 
who  gave  such  evidence  ?  Let  us  look  at  the  in- 
tention of  giving  the  pamphlet.  By  raking  and 
scraping  their  Camp-meetings,  and  McB ride's  meet" 
ing  at  Bethlehem,  not  one  word  has  been  brought 
to  show  that  they  have  any  sympathy  with  insur- 
rection, but  right  to  the  contrary.  Is  it  in  testi- 
mony that  the  pamphlet  was  circulated  with  an  in- 
tent to  have  it  get  among,  or  into  the  hands  of 
negroes  ?  No  such  advice  was  given  the  little  girl, 
who  was  herself  a  white  girl ;  her  father  held  no 
slaves  and  there  were  none  about  the  house.     These 


IltiV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  59 

men  have  a  right  to  use  means  to  gain  proselytes ; 
and  believing,  as  they  do,  that  slavery  is  sinful, 
they  have  a  right  to  convince  masters  and  freemen 
that  it  is  wrong.  Mr.  Waddell  says,  'such  a  hell- 
ish firebrand  as  the  'Ten  Commandments'  was  never 
circulated  in  this  country.'  I'll  show  him  that  oth- 
er ministers  have  brought  and  circulated  things  as 
bad  as  this  little  pamphlet,  and  that  every  intelli- 
gent Methodist  minister  keeps  and  circulates  books 
equally  as  strong  against  slavery.  Presbyterians  and 
Quakers  do  the  same.  And  I'll  show,  too,  that 
none  of  them  are  incendiary. 

"  Here,  by  permission  of  the  court,  Mr,  M.  read 
and  commented  on  extracts  from  the  writings  and 
sayings  of  the  following  distinguished  statesmen 
and  divines,  viz.,  Patrick  Henry  and  Thomas  Jeffer- 
son, 'the  brightest  stars  which  Virginia  has  pro- 
duced :  The  narrative  of  the  doings  of  the  North 
Carolina  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends  on  the  subject 
of  Slavery  within  its  limits^  Husbands  separated 
from  their  wives,  parents  from  their  children 
■—printed  in  Greensboro'  in  1848:  Wm.  Pinkney; 
Clarke's  Commentary  on  1st  Cor.,  vii:23; — Peti- 
tion of  the  Presbyterians  to  their  General  Assem- 
bly— printed  in  Washington  and  circulated  every- 
where, and  equally  as  strong  as  the '  Ten  Command- 
ments ;  '  John  Randolph ;  Wm.  West ;  Dr.  Paley ; 
Dr.  Burgess ;  Bishop  Horseley ;  John  Jay  ;  Broad- 
nax,  of  Virginia;  Clark's  Theology;  Governor 
Swain,  of  North  Carolina,  scorching;  Digest  of 
the  Presbyterian   General  Assembly,  as  strong  as 


60  THE  LIFE  OF 

the  English  language  can  make  it  j  Address'  of  Hog,- 
Wm.  Gaston,  before  the  students  at  Chapel  Hill, 
N.  C— clear,  masterly,  and  pithy— circulated  every- 
where, admired  by  everybody.  Fourth  edition, 
printed  at  Kaleigh,  capital  of  North  Carolina. 

'Now,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  I  have  not  read  these 
things  to  convince  you  that  slavery  is  wrong,  but  to 
show  you  that  if  the  'Ten  Commandments'  is  incen- 
diary,  then  these  are  equally  so7  and  to  show  you 
that  the  defendants  have  done  nothing  more  than 
other  ministers  do. 

'But  it  cannot  be  that  these  men  design  to  raise 
an  insurrection ;  for  they  are  here  to  suffer  with  us  ? 
and  for  what  have  they  come  ?'— to  set  the  slaves 
at  butchering  their  masters  ?  No  !  But  having* 
brought  all  their  earthly  crowns  and  laid  them  at 
their  Master's  feet,  have  come  here  as  humble  min- 
isters of  the  Gospel  of  the  meek  Redeemer.  Why, 
it  is  plain  this  pamphlet  was  not  intended  to 
go  among  slaves;  for  it  is  not  addressed  to 
them,  but  their  masters.  Again,  the  slaves  can 
not  read,  and  there  is  no  evidence  that  McBride 
advised  the  little  girl  to  read  it  to  them,  but  dL 
rectly  the  contrary.  I  venture  the  assertion,  that 
if  this  pamphlet  had  been  given  out  by  a  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  preacher,  there  would  not  have  been 
one  word  said  about  it.  And  why  is  it,  gentlemen 
of  the  jury,  they  have  indicted  Crooks  ?  There  is 
not  one  particle  of  evidence  against  him.  Not  any, 
I  fear  the  object  was  to  influence  the  jury  to  com- 
promise, acquit  one  and  convict  the  other.     I  have 


RftV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  61 

seen  too  many  such  compromises.  Where  is  the 
witness  to  testify  that  either  of  these  men  brought 
the  pamphlet  into  North  Carolina?  The  State 
would  have  you  believe  that  we  must  prove  our- 
selves innocent ;  that  the  fact  of  possession  is  evi- 
dence. Have  they  nothing  ?— did  they  never  have 
any  thing  but  what  they  brought  into  the  State  ?  There 
is  something  remarkable  about  the  prosecution ; — 
here  are  three  of  the  wealthiest  men  in  Salem,  pro- 
secutors. Was  not  one  enough  ?  But  that  would 
not  give  sufficient  character  to  all  this  excitement. 
I  fear,  and  I  awfully  fear,  there  is  too  much  ground 
of  fear,  that  there  is  a  design  in  all  this,  to  force  a 
conviction  on  these  men.  Mr.  Wacldell,  with  the 
appearance  of  sincerity,  told  you  not  to  suffer  your- 
selves to  be  influenced  by  any  appeals  which  had 
been  made  or  which  may  be  made  on  either  side. 
No,  no ;  that  gentleman  would  not  have  you  become 
excited.  I  bring  up  burning  houses,  streaming- 
blood  and  dying  men,  women  and  children,  but 
don't  suffer  yourselves  to  be  excited.'  " 

"Mr.  M.  after  reading  from  his  notes  fifteen  reasons 
why  the  defendants  should  be  acquitted,  about 
8  o'clock  at  night  concluded  his  last  manly  de- 
fence of  three  hours  and  a  half,  which  was  deliver- 
ed in  a  clear,  dignified,  and  masterly  manner :  and, 
notwithstanding  its  length,  was  heard  by  all  with 
the  most  profound  interest  and  breathless  attention. 
The  pleading  closed;   the  Judge  delivered  his 

CHARGE  TO  THE  JURY, 

which  was   as  follows :— after    reading    the    law, 


62  THE   LIFE  OP 

the  Judge  observed, — The  indictment  contains  two 
charges.  The  first,  of  bringing  into  the  State,  with 
intent  to  circulate,  a  printed  pamphlet,  the  evident 
tendency  of  which,  would  be  to  excite  insurrection, 
conspiracy,  and  resistance  in  the  slaves.  The 
second  charge  is,  of  circulating  said  pamphlet  with- 
in the  State,  and  so  on.  We  will  reverse  the  thing, 
and  take  the  latter  charge  first.  You  will  first  consid- 
er the  contents  of  the  pamphlet.  Has  it  an  evi- 
dent tendency  to  excite  insurrection,  or  is  it 
an  argument  couched  in  respectful  language  as  to 
the  morality  of  slavery,  or  of  the  best  method  of 
doing  it  away. 

1  You  will  then  consider  the  evidence  in  regard, 
to  circulating  the  pamphlet.  Did  he  give  (lifting 
the  'Ten  Commandments')  this  pamphlet  to  the  lit- 
tle girl  ?  Next,  is  this  the  same  pamphlet?  As 
to  the  contents  of  this  book,  after  the  most  serious 
and  critical  examination,  I  give  it  as  my  judgment, 
that  it  does  have  an  evident  tendency  to  excite  in. 
surrection.  As  to  the  question  of  his  giving 
the  pamphlet  to  the  girl  there  can  be  no  doubt. 
It  is  not  my  opinion  that  to  violate  the  law,  is  nec- 
essary to  circulate  incendiary  publications  among 
the  blacks.  The  design  of  the  Legislature,  no 
doubt,  was  to  prevent  the  circulation  of  such  things 
among  the  white,  as  well  as  the  black  portion  of 
the  community.  Such  productions  tend  to  excite 
the  master  to  treat  his  slave  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  create  dissatisfaction  in  the  slave  with  the  treat- 
ment of  his  master.     That  this  is  the  same   pain- 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  bS 

phlet  which  McBride  gave  the  girl,  seems  to  be 
clearly  proven  by  all  the  witnesses,  who  testified 
to  that  point.  # 

'If  Mr.  Crooks  was  present  and  advising,  or  aid- 
ing Mr.  McBride  to  give  out  the  pamphlet  at  the 
time  it  was  given,  ho  is  equally  guilty,  but  I  be- 
lieve the  testimony  is,  he  was  not  present.  If  from 
the  evidence  you  think  the  defendants  brought  the 
pamphlet  into  the  State,  say  so,  and  if  not,  say  so. 
Giving  the  jury  the  papers  he  ordered  them  to  be 
conducted  to  their  room.'  " 

"The  court  arose, to  sit  next  forenoon  at  10  o'clock. 
Bro's  Bacon,  McBride  and  the  writer  retired  to 
our  lodgings  j  committed  ourselves  to  God ;  slept 
securely  till  morning;  at  ten  o'clock  returned  to 
Court:  the  Judge  in  the  chair;  the  Jury  report 
they  are  agreed  upon  a 

VEKDICT 

That  '  Crooks  is  not  guilty.  McBride  not  guilty 
of  the  first,- but  guilty  of  the  second  charge,  and 
ask  for  him  the  mercy  of  the  Court.'  The  sentence 
was  not  immediately  pronounced.  About  eleven 
o'clock  Bro.  McBride's  counsel,  Mr.  Morehead 
moved  for  a  new  hearing,  and  required  the  State 
to  show  cause  why  it  should  not  be  granted.  A 
new  hearing  being  refused,  the  Judge  passed 

SENTENCE 

That  Brother  McBride  shall  stand  at  the  pillory  one 
hour,  receive  twenty  stripes,  and  be  imprisoned  in 
the  county  jail  one  year,  and  that  the  Sheriff  pro- 


64  THE  LIFE  OF 

ceed  to  inflict  the  penalty  immediately.  Where- 
upon an 

"  APPEAL 

was  taken  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the '  State, 
which  holds  its  session  at  Raleigh,  on  the  30th  of 
December  next. 

GROUNDS    OF    TEE    APPEAL, 

"  We  think  the  court  erred  in  the  following  :— 

1st.  The  court  permitted  the  whole  of  the  pam- 
phlet to  be  read  in  evidence,  when  only  a  part  of 
it  was  set  forth  in  the  indictment. 

2d.  That  giving  the  little  book  to  a  child  was 
not  putting  the  same  into  circulation  under  the  act 
of  Assembly. 

3d.  As  a  matter  of  law,  the  evident  tendency  of 
the  book  was  not  to  excite  to  insurrection,  conspir- 
acy, and  resistance. 

4th.  That  the  penalty  of  the  Act  was  incurred 
by  circulating  the  book  among  white  persons,  with- 
out reference  to  an  intention  that  it  should  be  cir- 
culated among  persons  of  color.  The  appeal  being 
entered, 

A  MOTION    TO   FORBID    PREACHING   AND  CIRCULATING 
BOOKS.  .    • 

"By  Mr.  Waddell  it  was  moved  that  the  court  for 
bid  Mr.  McBride  to  preach  or  circulate  books  till 
the  next  session  of  the  court3  or  for  six  months,  on 
which  he  made  a  fiery  appeal  to  the  passions  of  the 
court,  and  ad  captandum  vulgus, 

"Followed  by  Morehead  in  a  thrilling  address,  in 
which  he  commenced  by  saying,  '  Surely  we  have 


REV.  ADAM    CROOKS.  65 

got  into  strange  cities/  spoke  in  a  pathetic  manner 
of  McBride's  innocence,  of  his  great  loss  and  sore 
affliction  in  the  death  of  his  companion  ;  of  his  sep- 
aration from  a  lovely  daughter;  called  upon  them 
to  point  to  an  immoral  act  of  his  life,  or  an  improp- 
er word  from  his  lips. 

"Mr.  Waddell  was  very  reluctant  to  protract 
this  unhappy  discussion,  but  he  had  been  called  up- 
on to  <  point  out  an  immoral  act.'  The  speaker 
referred  to  the  meeting  in  Jamestown,  published  by 
Montgomery.  McBride  might  be  honest— he  was  sure 
he  was  misguided.  'I,'  said  W./ revere  the  holy  re- 
ligion of  the  Bible  as  much  as  any  man ...  .1  know 
no  master  but  the  law,  and  that  we  make  ourselves/ 
&c,  to  the  end.  The  court  decided  it  was  not 
proper  to  forbid  McBride  from  preaching  as  he 
had  not  been  tried  for  that ;  but  he  should  consid- 
er himself  $1000  in  debt  to  the  State  of  North 
Carolina,  if  he  did  not  appear  at  this  court  at  its 
next  session,  or  did  circulate  the  l  Ten  Command- 
ments/ or  anything  similiar,  between  this  and  then. 
Securities  given.  We  went  out  from  Salem,  pray- 
ing God's  blessing  upon  His  enemies  and  ours,  and 
if  not  rejoicing  that  we  were  counted  worthy  to 
suffer  for  his  'name's  sake/  at  least. 

'  Submissive,  I  trust  to  the  will  Divine.' 

"The  moral  elements  are  in  commotion,  but  God 
rules  the  storm,  bless  His  name !  He  has  thus  far 
said  to  our  hearts  <  fear  not.'  Let  all  who  truly 
fear  God  and  love  man,  join  us  in  praying  and  la- 
boring, and  if  need  be,  suffering,  to  bring  on  that 


66  THE  LIFE  OF 

happy  day,  when  every  system  which  arrays  one 
portion  of  the  human  family  against  the  other  shall 
be  extinct,  and  love's  golden  chain  bind  all  in  its 
sacred  inclosure. 

OTHER  PERSECUTIONS. 

"Ecclesiastical  history  not  {infrequently  furnishes 
matter  alike  interesting  to  the  Christian  and  lovers 
of  the  novel.  The  following  may  to  some  extent  be 
of  this  character. 

"  Meetings  are  held  in  this  State  under  the  inno" 
cent  name  of  Fairs,  at  which  pilgrims  from  various 
parts  of  North  and  South  Carolina  assemble  ;  some 
for  the  laudable  purpose  of  selling  various  articles 
of  food,  and  other  some  for  the  less  praiseworthy 
motive  of  gambling,  horse  swapping,  trafficing  and 
drinking  intoxicating  liquors.  At  these  almost 
every  thing  is  fair. 

"  On  one  of  these  noted  occasions,  in  Montgomery 
Co.,  a  council  was  held  to  fix  upon  some  plan  to 
stay  the  progress  of  Wesley  an  ism  in  these  parts? 
which  resulted  in  the  appointment  of  a  Committee 
to  wait  on  the  writer,  and  request  him  to  absent 
himself  from  the  State  of  North  Carolina  by  the  1st 
of  February  next.  Accordingly,  on  the  27th  of 
December,  eisrht  souls,  the  number  saved  in  the  ark 

7  O  7  1 

sought,  but  found  not  the  object  of  pursuit,  he  not 
being  at  his  usual  boarding-house;  so  they  left  a 
letter,  stating  if  they  did  not  get  an  answer  they 
would  meet  me  at  one  of  my  appointments.     The 


REV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  6? 

following  is  a  copy  of  their  letter,  including  orthog- 
raphy and  prosody. 

"'North  Carolina,  Montgomery  Co. 
1  We  the  undersigned  Committee  having  been  appointed, 
by  a  large  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Montgomery,  and  the 
adjoining  Counties,  to  wait  Oq  Adam  Crooks,  abolitionist? 
and  request  him  peaceably  to  leave  the  State  of  North  Car- 
olina, by  the  1st  of  February  next,  and  we  demand  posi- 
tive answer  from  the  said  Crooks  whether  or  not  he  intends 
to  comply  with  the  requirements  of  these  few  lines,  this 
27th  of  December,  1850.'      [Signed  by  eleven  names.] 

"  An  answer  was  prepared,  but  not  being  sent,  on 
Sabbath,  the  12th  inst.,  six  men  came  to  the  meet- 
ing-house just  as  services  commenced,  but  did  not 
come  into  the  house.  Meeting  being  concluded, 
Mr.  B.  desired  Mr.  Byrns  to  introduce  him  to  the 
preacher. 

'  I'll  do  no  such  thing ;  why  did  you  not  come  in- 
to the  house  like  a  man  ?' 

1  Is  your  name  Crooks  ?' 

\  That  is  my  name.' 

I  My  name  is  Bright.  I  wish  to  have  a  word 
with  you.  We  are  appointed  by  a  meeting  of 
Montgomery  county,  to  request  you  to  leave  the 
State  of  North  Carolina.  We  think  you  are  doing 
no  good,  and  for  the  sake  of  the  peace  and  harmo- 
ny of  the  community,  we  desire  you  to  leave.' 

<  I  received  a  letter  to  that  purport  a  few  days 
since. ' 

'  Yes,  but  we  got  no  answer.' 

I I  prepared  an  answer,  but  had  no  opportunity 
of  sending  it.  I  am  of  the  same  mind  as  when  I 
wrote  it;  and  in  it  I  decline  complying.' 


68  THE  LIFE  OF 

1  Then  you  do  not  ask  any  set  time,  only  till  you 
see  cause  to  leave  ?'     • 

'All  I  ask  is  the  rights  of  any  other  preacher  of 
the  Gospel.  All  we  ask  is  the  rights  of  the  State. 
I  have  not,  nor  do  I  have  any  disposition  to  violate 
these  rights.     Good  da}7,  gentlemen.' 

"All  left,  but  Mr.  0.,  the  writer  of  the  above  note. 

1  Mr.  0.,  I  believe  you  are  the  writer  of  the  let- 
ter received.' 

'Yes,  sir.' 

'  I  have  written  an  answer,  and  as  I  hold  your 
letter,  you  can  have  the  answer,  if  you  desire  it.' 

'  I  should  like  to  have  it.'" 

"  Whereupon  the  following  was  given. 

"  Valentine  Moore's,  Mont.  Co.,  Jan.  6th,  1851. 

"  To  the  Committee  appointed  by  a  large  meeting 
of  the  citizens  of  Montgomery  and  adjoining  coun- 
ties, to  wait  on  Adam  Crooks,  abolitionist,  and  re- 
quest him  peaceably  to  leave  the  State  of  North 
Carolina,  by  the  1st  of  February  next. 

"  Sirs  : — Your  by  no  means  polite  note,  bearing 
date  of  December  27th,  is  before  me,  which  I  will 
endeavor  to  answer,  in  the  meekness  of  humility, 
and  kindness  of  charity,  as  well  as  in  the  frankness 
of  honesty  and  plainness  of  sincerity. 

"And  1st: — As  to  the  language  of  your  letter,  it 
is  well  calculated  to  extort  the  exclamation,  Mirabile 
dictu !  You  begin  with  a  request,  and  conclude 
with  an  absolute  demand,  which  your  own  good 
sense  must  teach  you  had  not  the  least  shadow  of 
a  right  to  make. 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  G9 

"  2d  : — To  the  implied  charge  of  abolitionism,  T  am 
free  to  acknowledge,  I  believe  with  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin, George  Washington,  Thomas  Jefferson,  Patrick 
Henry,  William  Pinkney,  John  Wesley,  Richard 
Watson,  Adam  Clarke,  and  others,  philosophers, 
statesmen  and  divines,  to  whom  the  world  owes  a 
large  debt  of  gratitude,  and  to  whose  names  poster- 
ity will  gladly  pay  its  devoir,  of  a  place  on  the  fair- 
est page  of  fame,  on  the  subject  of  American  sla- 
very. In  the  fullest  sense,  I  subscribe  to  that  ever 
memorable  instrument,  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence ;  written,  using  the  language  of  figure,  with 
the  point  of  the  sword  in  the  blood  of  the  heroes  of 
seventy-six,  who  appealing  to  the  Searcher  of  hearts 
to  witness  the  rectitude  of  their  intentions,  with 
the  American  flag  majestically  floating  in  heaven's 
free  air  over  their  heads,  and  the  watchword  liber- 
ty, blazing  in  capitals  from  its  ample  folds,  nobly 
wrote :  '  We  hold  these  truths  to  be  self-evident, 
that  all  men  are  created  equal,  and  endowed  by 
their  Creator  with  inalienable  right  to  life,  liberty, 
and  the  pursuit  of  happiness;  that  to  maintain 
these  rights,  governments  are  instituted  among 
men,  deriving  their  just  powers  from  the  will  of 
the  governed.' 

"  And  is  this,  in  the  estimation  of  their  sons,  an 
offense,  a  crime  meriting  exilement  ?  If  so,  as  Croe- 
sus cried  out,  '  0  Solon  !  Solon  !  Solon  !'  may  not 
we  with  equal  propriety,  though  opposite  emotions, 
exclaim  l  0  Fathers  of  the  revolution  !  Fathers  of 
the  revolution  !     Fathers  of  the  revolution  !' 


70  THE  LIFE  OF 

"3rd.  With  regard  to  your  request, for  three  rea„ 
sons  I  can  not  comply. 

"  First.  There  is  no  insignificant  number  of  as  loy- 
al citizens,  and  some  as  orderly  Christians  as  crown 
this  or  any  other  State,  desire  my  ministerial  ser- 
vices ;  and  because  I  can  not  be  false  to  these,  false 
to  myself,  false  to  my  office,  to  the  Church,  and 
above  all,  false  to  God,  I  can  not  comply. 

"  Second.  As  an  American  citizen,  pursuing  a 
laudable,  not  to  say  charitable  occupation,  to  a 
self-constituted  tribunal,  recognized  by  no  law-gov- 
erning civilized  nations,  I  can  not  yield  the  right  to 
try  without  notice,  convict  without  a  hearing,  and 
banish  without  crime.  To  do  so  would  be  to  offer 
a  base  indignity  to  our  nature  as  men,  and  charac- 
ter as  Americans. 

"  In  the  third  place,  I  can  not  comply  with  so 
unreasonable  a  request,  because  as  a  Christian  and 
Christian  minister  I  will  not  surrender  to  any 
earthly  power,  and  more  especially  to  illegally  as- 
sumed authority,  the  right  given  by  our  Almighty 
Creator,  and  secured  by  the  government  under 
which  it  is  our  privilege  to  live,  to  worship  Al- 
mighty God  according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience. 

u  I  am  bold  to  declare  that  no  true  American  or 
genuine  Christian,  will  either  make  or  submit  to 
such  demands.  The  pen  which  recorded  the  sur. 
render,  would  be  quite  as  dark  as  the  page  which 
chronicled  the  requirement.  What  would  such 
precedure  be,  but  a  re-establishment  of  Inquisitorial 
Councils  ? — the  re-kindling  the  consuming  fires  of  re. 


REV.     ADAM     CROOKS.  71 

ligious  intolerance  ? — the  annihilation  of  the  Protes. 
tant  reformation  and  all  its  glorious  blessings,  and 
the  resurrection  of  all  the  bloody  cruelties  of  the 
Papal  persecution  ?  Would  you  have  the  ignomini. 
ous  tragedy  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII,  Queen 
Mary,  and  James  II — the  reign  of  terror — re-acted 
on  American  soil  ?  If  so,  who  will  tell  the  mourn- 
ful catastrophe  ?  Who  will  give  assurance  that 
your  children's  children  will  not  drink  the  fatal 
dregs  of  the  poisonous  cup  first  presented  by  their 
erring  fathers  ?  If  there  are  such  things  as  weep- 
ing in  heaven,  and  sorrow  in  the  tomb,  might  not 
sainted  spirits  find  occasion  here  to  drop  a  tear 
over  the  grave  of  slaughtered  freedom,  and  the 
bosoms  of  illustrious  dead  to  heave  a  sigh  for  de. 
parted  glory  ? 

"  Than  that  such  should  be  the  case — that  the 
clarion  of  freedom  should  cease  to  whisper  in  our 
breezes,  and  murmur  along  our  stream  s,  the  free 
born  conscience  enslaved;  liberty's  self  murdered- 
in  the  house  of  her  friends,  and  by  hands  which 
should  cherish  her;  her  garments  stained,  and  home 
drenched  with  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  of  Jesus ; 
the  name  of  our  loved,  our  idolized  America,  should 
be  written  on  the  page  of  infamy,  and  be  a  hissing 
and  by -word  among  kings,  princes,  and  autocrats ; 
every  man's  hand  of  the  American  people  be  turned 
against  his  fellow,  and  they  fall  victims  to  the  evils 
of  intestine  broils,  and  the  ravages  of  international 
wars  ; — I  say,  before  these  things  come  upon  us,  let 
the  sun  refuse  to  look  upon  us;  the  stars  repre- 


72  THE  LIFE  OP 

sented  on  our  country's  flag,  withdraw  from  the 
firmament ;  let  the  American  name  be  blotted  from 
the  archives  of  nations ;  the  American  people  fall 
beneath  the  devouring  pestilence  from  God;  our 
fair  cities,  flourishing  towns,  and  peaceful  hamlets* 
become  one  unbroken  desolation;  and  fruitful 
fields,  green  meadows,  and  majestic  forests,  a  thea- 
ter of  the  sports  of  wild  beasts,  and  return  to  the 
uninterrupted  dominion  of  the  untutored  savage. 

"  Permit  me  to  ask,  in  all  kindness  and  candor, 
may  not  your  procedure,  if  prosecuted,  prove  to  be 
the  precursor  and  even  the  prelude,  to  all  these 
dreadful  calamities  ? 

"  That  the  above  indifferently  described  evils  be 
averted,  and  their  opposite  blessings  secured,  may 
the  American  people,  ever  proverbially  sensitive  to 
the  least  seeming  encroachment  on  their  individual 
or  national  rights,  isnure  their  enjoyment  to  them- 
selves and  posterity  by  uniformly  respecting,  as  no 
less  sacred,  the  rights  of  each  other ;  worshiping  as 
seemeth  good  unto  them,  and  allowing  their  neigh- 
bors the  peaceable  enjoyment  of  that  exalted  privi" 
lege.  And  if  at  any  time  they  differ  in  opinion,  as 
in  our  imperfect  state  we  will  be  certain  to  do,  let 
us  pray  for  and  reason  one  with  another ;  thus  at 
once  obeying  the  heavenly  command,  and  imitating 
the  glorious  example  of  Him  who  causes  His  sun 
to  shine  on  the  evil  and  the  good,  and  rain  to  bless 
the  just  and  unjust,  and  died  for  us  when  we  were 
enemies,  remembering  that  if  any  man  have  not  His 
spirit  he  is  none  of  His. 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  73 

u  I  will  conclude  this  scroll,  the  length  of  which 
please  excuse,  by  referring  you  to  the  wise  advice 
of  Gamaliel,  Acts  v :  33-39 ;  the  woe  pronounced 
against  the  offender,  Matthew  xviii  :1~7 ;  please 
ponder  well  Matthew  xxv:31— 46. 

"  We  have  erected  two  meeting-houses  this  Win- 
ter, one  in  Montgomery  and  the  other  in  Randolph 
Co.  We  anticipate  a  visit  from  our  deeply  injured? 
hut  highly  esteemed  Brother  McBride  on  the  first 
and  second  Sabbath  of  the  next  inst.,  at  which  time 
we  purpose  holding  protracted  meetings.  May  the 
Lord  greatly  revive  his  work,     Amen." 

It  was  during  this  visit  of  Brother  McBride's,  in 
February,  1851,  that,  as  they  were  going  from  one 
appointed  place  of  meeting  to  another,  each  in 
his  own  carriage,  as  they  came  to  the  top  of  a 
high  hill,  they  saw  in  the  valley  below,  three  men, 
armed  with  guns,  standing  across  the  road.  Evi„ 
dently  they  were  waiting  for  them.  Brother 
McBride  said, 

"  Crooks,  do  you  see  those  men  ?" 

Mr.  Crooks  answered,  "  Yes." 

That  was  all  that  passed  between  them,  but 
their  hearts  were  lifted  in  silent  prayer  to  One 
who  is  ever  ready  to  help  his  children  in  time  of 
danger.  When  they  came  to  the  place  where  the 
men  stood,  two  passed  to  one  side  of  the  road,  and 
one  to  the  other. 

Mr.  Crooks  said,  "  Good  morning,  gentlemen." 

The  men  answered,   "  Good  morning." 
4 


74  THE  LIFE  OF 

As  they  ascended  the  opposite  hill,  before  they 
passed  out  of  sight,  they  glanced  back,  and  saw  two 
other  armed  men  coming.  They  heard  afterwards 
that  five  men  had  pledged  themselves  to  meet  there, 
and  waylay  and  kill  Mr.  Crooks,  as  he  regularly 
passed  that  way  to  attend  his  appointments.  Two 
of  their  number  were  tardy.  McBride  was  a 
stranger.  The  three  probably  feared  to  act  alone 
and  through  Providence  their  plans  were  brought 
to  nought- 


KELIGIOUS    INTGLEEANCE    IN   NOETH    CAEO- 
LINA. 

"  Nothing  in  all  the  book  of  common  sayings  is 
more  true  than  that  '  Coming  events  often  cast  their 
shadows  before  them.'  "  In  nature  the  morning  star 
proclaims  the  approach  of  the  superior  splendor  of 
the  solar  orb.  The  semi-decomposition  of  his  rays 
forming  divergent  milk-colored  lines  in  the  vapory 
air,  precedes  the  darkening  heavens,  the  red  light- 
ning, roaring  thunder,  dashing  rain,  and  the  sweep, 
ing  tornado.  The  rumbling  of  the  volcano  is  pre- 
cursory to  the  vomitings  of  the  clouds  of  smoke  and 
ashes,  showers  of  burning  stones  and  rivers  of 
fiery  lava. 

"In  the  progress  of  human  affairs,  circumstances 
intrinsically  of  little  or  no  importance,  in  their  re- 
lations to  mighty  movements,  are  fraught  with  in- 
terests boundless  in  extent  and  endless  in  duration 

"  The  fact  that  pieces  of  carved  wood,  a  canoo 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  75 

and  two  human  bodies  differing  in  complexion  Irom 
Europeans,  had  been  driven  by  westerly  winds  up- 
on the  shores  of  islands  contiguous  to  Europe,  was 
important  only  as  to  its  influence  upon  the  observ- 
ing mind  of  Columbus,  in  leading  to  the  discovery 
of  an  unknown  hemisphere, 

"  The  falling  of  an  apple  is  a  simple  and  common 
occurrence,  yet  it  taught  Newton,  priest  of  nature, 
the  great  law  of  attraction  by  which  the  mighty 
God  governs  the  grand  machinery  of  the  heavens. 

u  The  burning  of  Andrew  Oliver  in  &ffHgy,  in  Bos- 
ton, on  the  14th  of  August,  1765,  and  the  break- 
ing open  of  three  hundred  and  forty-two  chests  of 
tea,  and  emptying  their  contents  into  the  ocean 
the  18th  of  December,  1773,  trifling  a.s  they  are, 
serve  as  a  thermometer  to  indicate  feelings  which 
throbbed  through  the  veins  and  arteries,  and  nerv- 
ed the  arm  of  the  United  Colonies — feelings  which 
brightened  till  they  produced  throes  which  shook 
the  foundations  of  the  mightiest  throne  on  earth, 
and  gave  birth  to  a  nation  no  less  powerful. 

"And  the  formation  of  the  Jacobin  club  in  France 
in  1790,  in  itself  appeared  unimportant,*  yet  it  was 
the  shadow  of  coming  events  which  convulsed  the 
world.  Considered  as  the  unobserving  eye  of  the 
multitude  beholds  human  transactions — separate 
and  disconnected,  uninfluenced  and  uninfluencing, 
the  subject  of  this  communication  is  comparatively 
local  and  unimportant.  But  viewed  as  the  true 
philosopher,  wise  statesman,  and  enlightened  Chris- 
tian are  wont  to  look  upon  passing  incidents  con- 


76  THE  LIFE  OF 

nected,  linked,  bound  to,  influenced  by,  and  influ- 
encing all  the  movements  of  men ;  and  as  a  mile- 
stone marking  the  progress  of  civilization,  and  en- 
lightened liberal  and  Christian  principles,  or  of 
political  and  religious  degeneracy,  it  is  infinitely 
otherwise. 

"  It  is  the  seizure  and  forcible  commitment  to 
prison,  in  Montgomery  Co.,  North  Carolina,  on  the 
Sabbath,  by  professors  of  Christianity  and  officers 
of  the  law,  without  the  torms  of  law ;  refusing  bail 
of  a  free  born  American  and  Minister  of  the  Gospel 
uncondemn ed,  which  it  is  the  painful  task  of  my 
pen  to  record. 

"  The  morning  of  Sabbath,  the  15th  of  June,  as  if 
unwilling  to  be  a  spectator  of  the  transactions  of 
the  day,  the  sun  arose  behind  a  cloud.  The  air 
was  cool,  as  if  chilled  by  the  inhospitality  of  the 
hearts  of  the  oppressors. 

"The  rumor  that  a  mob  was  to  be  at  the  Lovejoy 
Chapel,  to  transport  him  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
county,  induced  him  to  leave  his  horse  at  Brother 
Y.  Moore's  about  a  mile  from  the  Chapel,  and  go 
to  meeting  early  before  the  mob  could  arrive.  By 
ten  o'clock  quite  a  number  of  the  loyal  band  land- 
ed, and  fifteen  minutes  to  eleven,  the  balance,  num- 
bering in  all  according  to  their  supposition  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five  ;  ten  of  whom  were  magis- 
trates. The  preacher  was  sitting  in  the  pulpit, 
when  the  mob,  headed  by  S.  Christian,  a  "Justice 
of  the  Peace"  and  a  negro-trader  as  their  orator 
approached  and  accosted  him  with : — 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  77 

u  Is  your  name  Crooks  ?" 

"  That  is  my  name." 

"  My  name  is  Christian.  The  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  North  and  South  are  divided.  They 
have  agreed  on  a  line,  and  this  very  subject  of 
slavery  has  divided  them.  The  North  would  not 
have  a  slave-holding  bishop.  Andrew,  being  a  slave- 
holder, was  deprived  of  his  office,  and  on  this  ac- 
count the  Church  split.  The  slavery  question  is 
agitating  this  whole  nation." 

u  Yes,"  said  Crooks,  "  it  is  convulsing  it  from 
center  to  circumference." 

"  And  you  have  come  amongst  us  preaching 
against  slavery — violating  our  laws — breeding  dis- 
turbance. I  have  no  doubt  you  preach  the  Gospel, 
but  we  are  not  heathens,  we  are  a  Christianized 
people.  You  are  making  interruptions  in  families, 
in  neighborhoods,  and  Churches,  (wonder  if  he  is 
not  a  regular  descendant  of  some  chivalric  knight,) 
and  causing  us  to  abuse  our  servants;  for  they 
have  got  to  know  you  are  preaching  that  they 
ought  to  be  free,  and  it  makes  them  unruly ;  so  that 
they  have  to  be  abused.  And  now,  what  we  want 
of  you  is  a  solemn  promise  that  you  will  leave  the 
county  forthwith,  and  never  preach  in  it  again." 

"  You,  Mr.  Christian,  are  mistaken  as  to  Bishop 
Andrew  being  deposed.  He  was  a  bishop  at  the 
rise  of  the  General  Conference  of  1844.  In  an- 
swer  to  three  questions  it  was  ordered  that  his 
name  should  remain  with  the  other  bishops — he 
should  receive  a  bishop's  pay ;  the  work  he  did  to 


78 


THE  LIFE  OF 


be  subject  to  his  discretion  in  view  of  the  action  of 
that  Conference.  But  that  matters  not,  it  being 
merely  a  fact  of  ecclesiastical  history.  As  to  my 
having  violated  your  laws,  your  conduct  to-day  vin- 
dicates me  from  that  charge." 

"  I  think  not." 

"  Evidently/'  continued  Crooks,  "  for  had  I  brok- 
en your  laws,  you  would  not  have  been  under  the 
necessity  of  violating  them  and  adopting  the  sub- 
lime modus  operandi  of  Mob  Law  to  punish  me." 

"  Some  of  the  company. — '  We  did  not  come  here 
to  have  a  debate.'  " 

"  Certain  charges  have  been  preferred,  and  it  is 
the  undisputed  right  of  every  man  to  be  heard  be- 
fore being  judged;  and  I  am  going  to  be  heard. 
As  to  breaking  the  peace ;  you  have  acknowledged 
I  preached  the  gospel.  As  to  your  not  being  heath- 
ens but  a  Christianized  people,-  your  conduct  in 
trying  to  drive  out  of  the  county  a  man  for  preach- 
ing the  gospel,  is  more  like  that  of  heathens  than 
of  Christians.  Not  a  drop  of  blood  warms  my 
heart,  or  courses  my  veins  in  favor  of  insurrection. 
Were  you  to  take  my  advice  there  would  be  no 
danger  of  such  an  event," 

"  What  would  that  be  ?  " 

"Do  by  your  slaves  as  you  would  they  should  do 
to  you," 

"Explain." 

"  It  needs  no  explanation.  It  is  so  plain  a  way- 
faring man  though  a  fool  shall  not  err  therein." 

li  Now,  see  there  !" 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  9P 

**  With  regard  to  leaving  the  county,  etc.,  it  is 
my  right,  in  common  with  American  citizens,  to 
come  and  go  at  pleasure.  The  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  says,  the  citizens  of  each  State  shall 
have  all  the  privileges  and  immunities  of  the  citi- 
zens of  die  several  states." 

"  Mr.  Cogins,  [a  magistrate  and  slave-holder,  was 
once  class-leader  in  the  M.  E.  Church,  is  not  now 
a  Church-member.]  "  Did  you  not  agree  to  leave 
Guilford,  and  never  return?" 

"  Mr.  Cogins,  I  do  not  wish  to  be  interrupted, 
tout  I  answer,  I  did  not." 

"  I  am  informed  you  did." 

"I  know  what  I  did, — and  I  know  I  did  not 
To  give  a  promise  never  to  preach  in  this  county, 
is  a  demand  you  have  no  right  to  make,  and  one  to 
which  I  as  a  Christian  minister  have  no  right  to 
submit.  I  trust  I  shall  ever  be  ready  to  go  where 
God  commands,  and  should  I  feel  it  my  duty  to 
preach  in  Montgomery  County,  by  His  grace  as- 
sisting I  shall  try.  The  right  to  worship  accord- 
ing to  dictates  of  conscience,  with  other  rights,  was 
purchased  at  the  expense  of  blood,  lives  and  treas- 
ures, of  our  revolutionary  fathers,  and  should  not 
be  surrendered  but  with  life.  The  Constitution  of 
North  Carolina,  which  some  of  this  company  have 
taken  a  solemn  oath  to  support,  secures  this  right. 
Here  a  number  of  persons  commenced  asking  ques- 
tions at  the  same  instant,  having  one  employed  iu 
penning  down  the  answers  given." 

T.  Halton— «  Brother  Crooks—" 

*  0,  don't  call  him  brother." 


80  THE  LIFE  OF 

"Yes,  let  us  call  him  brother.  Brother  Crooks, 
did  you  not  preach  to  servants  not  to  obey  their 
masters  ?  " 

"I  did  not." 

"  I  did  not  hear  you,  but  heard  you  did." 

H.  Hulen  to  Haltom — "  Don't  you  interrupt  the 
man," 

"  Haltom,  much  excited,  shook  his  fist,  stamped 
his  foot  to  the  floor,  and  striking  the  book-board, 
declared  he  was  at  home  on  his  own  premises. 

Crooks, — "  O,  men ! — keep  calm  !" 

O.  Hulen. — "  Men,  are  we  in  Court?  If  so  let 
the  judges  call  the  court  to  order;  and  if  we  came 
to  worship  God,  let  us  do  it." 

Mr.  Bright. — "  0,  men,  do  your  duty  for  which 
you  come  here." 

Mr.  Christian. — "  Well,  can  you  comply  with  our 
request  ?  " 

"  I  have  answered  that  question." 

"  We  have  extended  the  olive  branch  of  peace  to 
you,  and  if  you  do  not  receive  it,  you  must  abide 
the  consequences." 

"  Crooks  now  for  the  first  time  rises  from  his 
seat; — "I  extend  the  olive  to  all  men.  I  have 
lived  in  all  good  conscience  to  God  and  man  since 
I  came  amongst  you — feel  resolved  despite  of  all 
opposition,  to  do  the  will  of  G6d  and  make  my 
home  in  the  cloudless  regions  of  undying  delight." 

Mr.  Cogins — [in  an  excited  tone.]     "  Who  ar@ 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  81 

you — what  were  you  before  you  come  here, — have 
you  papers  to  show  ?" 

"I  have." 

"  By  whom  are  they  signed ; — the  Governor  of 
the  State  ?  " 

"  By  members  and  ministers  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  and  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and 
the  treasurer  of  the  County  Court.  I  have  them  in 
my  pocket,  if  you  wish  you  can  see  them." 

"  Who  knows  by  whom  they  are  signed." 

"  Mr.  Christian  : — Aaron  Burr  was  once  a  good 
man  and  afterwards  guilty  of  treason." 

"  Crooks  .-—Aaron  Burr  was  once  a  good  man 
and  afterwards  guilty  of  treason,  therefore,  0. 
Hulen  is  a  bad  man,  Aaron  Burr  was  once  a 
good  man  and  afterwards  turned  traitor,  therefore 
S.  Christian  is  a  bad  man.  Is  not  that  strange 
logic?" 

"Mr.  Bright:— 0  men,  perform  the- duty  for 
which  you  came !" 

"  Mr.  Cogins : — Were  you  sent  for  to  come  to 
this*State  ?" 

"  I  was." 

"  By  whom  ?" 

u  Forty  persons  in  Guilford." 

"  Name  some  of  them." 

"  Well,  Mr.  John  Sherwood  of  Jamestown,  and 
Rev.  D.  Wilson  of  Guilford." 

"  Was  Wilson  a  preacher  in  the  Methodist 
Church." 

"  He  was." 

4# 


82  THE  LIFE  OP 

Mr.  Bright  :- — "  Did  he  not  apply  for  license,  and 
it  being  refused,  get  mad  and  leave  the  Church  ?  " 

"  He  was  a  preacher  of  the  M.  E.   Church." 

"  I  heard  it  otherwise." 

Mr.  Cogins: — "Did  not  the  Annual  Conference 
pass  resolutions  condemnatory  of  your   course  ?  " 

"  Yes  sir.  The  North  Carolina  Yearly  Confer- 
ence of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  did  pass 
sentence  of  condemnation  upon  us." 

"  No,  but  one  of  the  Northern  Conferences  of 
the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church." 

"  No  sir." 

"  The  papers  say  they  did." 

"  If  they  do,  they  say  that  which  is  untrue," 

"  Did  you  not  write  to  the  editor  of  the  Wes- 
leyan, that  0.  Hulen  told  you  of  a  man  in  this 
county  tying  up  his  slave,  putting  a  log  of  wood 
between  his  feet  and  whipping  him  to  death?  " 

"  I  wrote  no  such  thing." 

"  No,  not  that  he  whipped  him  to  death,  but 
gave  him  five  hundred  lashes." 

"If  you,  Mr.  Cogins,  have  a  paper  having  ^such 
an  article,  and  my  name  attached  to  it,  perhaps  I 
wrote  it." 

"  Now,  just  see  there." 

"One  of  the  crowd; — "0.  Hulen  is  here,  he  can 
speak  for  himself." 

"0.  Hulen,  did  you  give  Mr.  Crooks  such  in- 
formation ?" 

"  Are  we  in  court  ? — Who  is  the  Judge  ?  " 

"  One    says,    "  Christian  ; — let  him  show  his  au- 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  83 

thority.    Oil — we  have  nothing  against  Mr.  Hulen." 

"During  a  miscellaneous  interchange  between 
the  contending  parties.  Mr.  Crooks,  resuming  his 
seat,  seemed  to  lift  his  heart  in  devout  but  silent 
prayer. 

"  As  the  preacher  had  but  one  answer  to  their  de- 
mand, four  men  were  ordered  to  take  him  from 
the  stand.     Orders  were  instantly  obeyed. 

"  0.  Hulen. — Men,  take  notice  who  takes  hold  of 
<*that  man  by  violence." 

"  Crooks  wished  to  get  his  hat  and  books. 

u  From  the  crowd. — '  Yes,  let  him  get  them.'  " 

"  As  they  descended  the  pulpit,  Win.  Hurley 
wished  to  know  what  they  were  going  to  do. 

"  Oh,  get  out  of  our  way  !" 

"But  stop,  you  don't  run  over  me.  What  are 
you  going  to  do  with  the  preacher  ?  " 

"  Going  to  take  him  to  Troy." 

"  Well,  can't  you  take  bail  ?  " 

"  We  want  no  bail." 

"  Crooks  is  led  or  rather  dragged  from  the  pul- 
pit into  the  yard.  All  is  confusion.  Some  are 
rushing  for  their  horses,  others  are  screaming,  and 
still  others  prostrated,  motionless  and  speechless. 

"  Where  is  Crooks'  horse ;  where  is  his  horse ; 
where  is  your  horse  ?  " 

"  Where  I  left  him,  I  expect." 

u  Where  did  you  leave  him  ?  " 

"  Where  he  is  welcome." 

"  Has  any  person  a  horse  and  buggy  to  take 
this  man  to  Troy  ?  " 


84  THE  LIFE  OF 

"  He  is  taken  to  Luther's  vehicle.  Luther  is  ss 
magistrate,  a  slave-holder  and  one  of  the  brave 
four. 

u  Let  us  have  help  to  put  this  man  in  the  buggy." 

"  Oh,  he  will  get  in  !— Get  in  !" 

Crooks  remaining  motionless  and  silent. 

"  Let  us  have  help  to  put  this  man  in  the  buggy." 

"Oh,  he'll   get  in,— he'll  get  in  !" 

"  Crooks  remaining  motionless  and  silent. 

"  Let  us  help  to  put  this  man  in  the  buggy." 

"  Oh,  he'll  get  in,— he'll  get  in  !" 

"  With  emphasis  and  anger — -*  Get  in,  get  in  I 
Come  here,  some  four  or  five  men  and  help  to  put 
this  man  in  the  buggy  !'  " 

"  He  is  hoisted  to  a  seat. 

"  O.  Hulen. — l  Men,  take  notice  who  forces  this 
man  into  that  buggy.' 

"  Mr.  Cogins, — -kI  will  help  to  put  him  in,  now  do 
your  d — ndest.'  " 

"  Said  Crooks, — is  there  no  means  of  conveyance 
for  S.  W.  L.,  my  friend  from  Randolph  ?  None  be- 
ing obtained,  in  company  with  three  brethren,  L. 
walked  to  Troy,  a  distance  of  six  miles.  But  one 
of  Crooks'  friends  (0.  Hulen,)  in  company  from 
the  Chapel  to  Troy,  those  on  foot  taking  a  shorter 
way. 

["  Conversation  on  the  way.] 

"  Crooks. — There  is  a  day  approaching  when 
there  will  be  an  account  to  meet  for  this  day's 
work. 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  85 

"Luther. — Yes,  and  you  will  have  to  answer  for 
your  conduct. 

"  C.  I  hope  I  shall  be  prepared  to  do  so. 

"L.  Those  who  have  taken  you  have  done  God  a 
service. 

"C.  Our  Saviour  has  told  us  the  time  would  come 
when  those  who  kill  his  followers,  would  think 
they  did  God  serdce.  But  that  question  will  be 
settled  at  the  Judgment,  and  the  Judge  will  con- 
sider treatment  to  his  servants  as  done  unto  Him. 
Now  if  he  were  on  earth  again  would  you  drive 
Him  from  the  county  ? 

"  L.  'I  don't  know  what  we  might  do,  if  he  were 
an  abolitionist.  We  are  going  to  have  perilous 
times,  and  we  are  bound  to  keep  them  off  as  long 
as  we  can.  You  would  bring  them  on  before  the 
time.'  " 

"  C.  'That's  what  the  devils  said  to  Jesus — "Thou 
art  come  hither  to  torment  us  before  the  time.'" 
But  if  you  would  take  my  counsel  all  clanger  of 
perilous  times  would  vanish.  Your  conduct  to 
your  slaves  make  them  your  enemies.  Were  you 
to  treat  them  with  justice  and  kindness  they  would 
become  your  friends.  You  remind  me  of  the  say- 
ing of  a  heathen  philosopher.  '  Whom  the  gods 
would  destroy  they  first  make  mad.'  To  prevent 
an  insurrection  you  banish  a  man  for  advising  you 
to  pursue  the  only  course  which  can  secure  you 
against  such  a  disaster. 

"  Nothing  can  be  more  certain  than  that  slavery 
will  prove  fatal  to  the  South  if  it  is  not  peaceably 


86  THE  LIFE  OP 

abolished.  The  war  between  the  antagonistic  prin* 
ciples  and  interests  of  liberty  and  slavery,  is  bound 
to  go  on  till  one  destroys  the  other.  As  well  at- 
tempt to  reconcile  God  and  the  devil,  as  to  estab- 
lish peace  upon  a  permanent  basis  between  liberty 
and  slavery,  and  it  is  for  every  man  to  say  which 
side  he  will  take  in  the  contest.  Slavery  will  de- 
stroy the  country  if  the  country  does  not  destroy 
slavery. 

"L.  I  have  some  slaves,  but  I  wish  there  was  not 
one  in  the  United  States.'  " 

UC.  And  yet  you  will  drive  from  the  County  a 
man  for  advising  you  what  you  wish  was  done. 
But  I  notice  when  a  slave  concludes  to  leave,  you 
do  all  in  your  power  to  bring  him  back. 

"L.  The  slaves  of  the  South  in  general,  are  much 
better  off  than  the  free  niggers  of  the  North,  and 
men  of  intelligence  and  candor  from  the  North  ad- 
mit it. 

"  C.  Perhaps  these  intelligent  and  candid  gen- 
tlemen are  not  competent  judges  ; — one  thing  is  un- 
deniable, and  that  is,  there  is  not  a  single  instance 
of  a  negro's  fleeing  from  liberty  to  slavery,  while 
there  are  numerous  cases  of  an  opposite  character. 

"  L.  I  treat  my  slaves  as  well  as  I  could  wish 
them  to  treat  me. 

"  C.  Were  yon  a  slave,  would  you  not  wish  to 
be  free. 

"  L.  Yes. 

"C,  Why,  then,  do  you  say  you  use  them  as  you 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  87 

Would  be  used,  while  you  refuse  them  their  free- 
dom ? 

"L.  0.  If  I  were  black,  I  don't  think  I  would  wish 
to  be  free.  Your  preaching  makes  the  slaves  dis- 
satisfied, [They  are  wonderfully  well  satisfied] — 
we  have  the  gospel  preached  by  others. 

"C.  Well,  it  has  been  admitted  that  I  preach  the 
gospel.  Why  punish  me  for  doing  that  for  which 
you  honor  others  ? 

UL.  They  preach  the  gospel  of  peace. 

UC.  If  they  do  you  have  a  poor  way  of  obeying 
them. 

"  Christian,  with  an  aifected  smile,  I  heard  quite 
a  good  joke  the  other  day  about  you  and  myself. 

"Crooks,  very  seriously— '  Ah  !  what  was  that  ?' 

Why,  I  heard  that  you  are  in  my  employ ;  preach- 
ing against  slavery,  that  I  may  purchase  below  par ; 
and  then  we  divide  profits. 

"  (7.  That  is  doubtless  as  true  as  many  other 
things  you  have  heard. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Crooks,  you  must  know  that  your 
preaching  is  contrary  to  our  laws,  for  they  are  in 
favor  of,  and  you  preach  against  slavery. 

"  Not  any  more  contrary  to  law,  Mr.  Christian, 
than  for  temperance  lecturers  to  proclaim  against 
the  license  law,  and  for  Whigs  to  denounce  laws 
enacted  by  Democrats,  or  vica  versa — -the  law  does 
not  enjoin  but  permits  slavery. 

"  But  you  violate  the  law  by  disturbing  the  peace 
of  Churches. 

"  You,  Mr.  Christian,  cannot  be  ignorant  of  the 


88  THELTFEOF 

fact  that  the  law  establishes  no  form  of  Church 
government. 

"  C.  Yes,  it  does. 

"  Show  the  chapter,  section,  and  paragraph.  Our 
laws  allow  all  Churches  the  privilege  of  fixing  their 
own  terms  of  communion  and  membership.,  and 
every  individual  the  right  to  worship  according  to 
the  dictates  of  conscience.  You  say  you  believe 
slavery  is  right.  I  believe  it  is  wrong.  The  law 
allows  us  an  equal  right  to  our  faith. 

"You  know  your  course  is  contrary  to  law,  for 
McBride  was  convicted  of  a  violation  of  law. 

"True  it  is,  a  jury  of  twelve  men  gave  it  as  their 
opinion  that  McBride  had  broken  the  law,  but  an 
appeal  being  taken  to  the  Supreme  Court,  his  pros- 
ecutors unwilling  to  abide  its  decision,  raised  a 
mob  and  drove  him  from  the  State.  They  knew 
right  well  he  was  an  innocent  man : — the  leaders 
of  the  mob  acknowledged  they  believed  him  to  be 
a  gentleman  and  Christian ;  and  one  of  them  said, 
as  soon  as  he  saw  the  grounds  of  appeal,  he  knew 
they  could  not  convict  him  by  law.  The  means 
you  adopt  to  support  your  cause  is  a  virtual  ac- 
knowledgement. You  must  not  be  offended,  Mr. 
Christian,  at  me  a  prisoner,  for  talking  so  plainly 
to  you,  for  really  I  feel  I  am  conversing  with  an 
equal,  and  nothing  more. 

"C.-  No,  not  at.all  ;  I  travel  a  great  deal;  I  have 
been  in  almost  all  the  States  in  the  Union.  Don't 
you  believe  George  Washington  is  in  Heaven  ? 

"  Well,  what  if  I  do  ? 


REV.  ADAM    CROOKS.  89 

"Why,  he  was  a  slave-holder. 
"  George    "Washington  willed    his    slaves    their 
freedom. 

"  C.  No,  he  did  not. 

"  He  most  certainly  did ;  I  know  whereof  I  af- 
firm. 

"  Are  you  in  favor  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  ? 

u  I  am  not.  Now,  you  see  that  was  passed  by 
Congress,  and  it  is  the  best  thing  that  has  ever 
been  done;  had  not  that  law  passed,  the  Union 
would  have  been  dissolved,  and  if  it  is  repealed  it 
will  be  dissolved. 

"  That  is  a  matter  of  opinion,  and  I  very  much 
differ  with  you.  I  have  never  been  able  to  per- 
suade myself,  the  South  is  so  foolish  as  to  dissolve 
the  Union.  I  would  be  opposed  to  the  Fugitive 
Bill,  if  for  no  other  reason,  because  it  does  not  re- 
spect the  rights  of  conscience. 

"[Luther. — Mr.  Christian,  where  will  we  stop? 
Mr.  Crooks  says  he  is  hungry,  and  I  wan't  my 
dinner. 

"  Christian. — Well,  he  must  have  dinner,  Where 
do  you  usually  stop  ?  " 

"  Where  it  happens." 

"  The  prisoner  was  taken  to  Luther's,  and  after 
washing  himself,  was  desired  to  read  from  two 
papers  relating  to  the  notorious  abolitionists,  Mc- 
Bridc  and  himself,  one  of  which  articles  was  head- 
ed in  large  letters,  "  Damn  Crooks," — which  he  did. 

"  C.  I  had  noticed  how  that  was  headed ;  it  must 
be  by  mistake. 


90  THE  LIFE  OP 

"  Prisoner. — I  suppose  it  was  intended  for  a  bur* 
lesque,  but  it  matters  nothing. 

"Seated  at  the  table,  Christian  requests  Crooks 
to  ask  a  blessing,  which  he  did. 

"  Dinner  over  ,Mr.  J.,  an  official  member  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  one  of  the  mob, 
thought  it  a  reasonable  request  which  had  been 
made;  wished  to  know  the  meaning  of  abolition; 
was  informed  by  the  prisoner  it  was  a  derivation 
from  abolish,  which  means  to  destroy,  to  do  away, 
and  is  most  commonly  applied  to  slavery. 

"  Sheriff  Sanders. — (also  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  and  one  of  the  mob.)  "  Yes, 
that  is  its  meaning." 

"  C.  You,  Mr.  Crooks,  must  know  that  your 
Church  is  contrary  to  our  laws,  for  they  favor  slav- 
ery, and  your  Church  opposed  it. 

"  C.  As  before  stated,  Churches  are  at  liberty  to 
make  any  terms  of  membership  they  see  proper, 
•and  individuals  to  worship  as  they  may  deem  is 
right.  If  you  believe  it  right  to  hold  slaves,  there 
are  Churches  where  you  will  be  readily  received. 
We  believe  we  are  equally  entitled  to  a  Church 
whose  doctrine  and  discipline  prohibit  slave-hold- 
ing— a  Church  according  with  our  religious  convic- 
tions. 

li  But  if  the  Wesleyan  organization  is  contrary  to 
your  laws,  because  it  makes  slave-holding  a  test  of 
membership,  what  will  you  do  with  the  Quakers' 
Church  which  does  the  same  ? 

"  0.  Oh  ! — the  Quakers  hold  slaves. 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  91 

u  Under  what  circumstances  ?  Dying  persons 
sometimes  make  them  their  agents  in  securing  the 
freedom  of  their  slaves ;  this,  at  times,  proves  the 
occasion  of  law-suits  j  they  hold  them  till  the  suit  is 
decided,  and  if  in  favor  of  the  slaves  their  liberty 
is  given  them. 

"  C,  If  it  is  right  to  hold  them  a  little  while,  it 
is  right  to  hold  them  always. 

Sanders. — [spoke  in  the  positive]  "  Almost 
all  the  Quakers  hold  slaves.  They  are  in  favor  of 
slavery."  [A  strange  declaration  for  a  professed 
Christian  to  make.] 

"  C.  I  stayed  over  night  with  Mr.  H.,  a  Quaker, 
and  he  said  they  were  as  much  opposed  to  the 
Wesleyans  as  to  any  denomination;  that  he  be- 
lieved there  are  many  slaveholders  good  Christians, 
and  that  he  would  advise  e^erybody  to  keep  the 
Wesleyan  preachers  out  of  their  houses.  [It  is 
never  necessary  to  make  false  statements  to  sup- 
port a  righteous  cause.] 

"  C.  Why  do  you  not  go  to  South  Carolina. 

"  I  have  never  been  invited,  nor  have  I  felc  it  my 
duty  to  go. 

"  You  talk  about  duty.  What  if  you  should  feel 
it  your  duty  to  tell  my  slave  to  kill  me. 
•  "  C.  Should  you  find  me  about  your  stables  steal- 
ing your  horses,  or  about  your  kitchens,  or  any 
where  else  violating  the  law,  I  refuse  not  to  suffer 
in  a  legal  manner.  You  talk  of  violating  your  laws, 
and  you  have   every    one  broken  your   own  laws 


92  THE  LIFE  OP 

this  very  day,  and  you  know  it,  and  you  know  that 
I  know  it. 

"  Sheriff  Sanders.— If  we  have  we  are  willing  to 
abide  the  consequences. 

«  Crooks,— So  I  say."    . 

"  To  Win.  Hurley. — What  is  the  reason  you 
could  not  stay  in  the  Church  you  first  joined  ? 

"  Why,  I  have  ever  been  opposed  to  this  thing. 

"What  thing? 

a  Why,  slavery ;  but  I  wished  to  belong  to  some 
Church,  and  as  there  was  none  in  my  reach  that 
suited  me  better,  I  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

"  Well,  if  you  believe  slavery  to  be  wrong,  you 
need  not  hold  them,  it  does  not  hurt  you. 

"Well,  but  for  me  to  support  a  thing  I  do  not 
believe  in  would  not  be  right.  And  you  can  have 
your  privileges  and  let  us  have  ours. 

"  Would  you  receive  a  slave-holder  into  your 
Church. 

"  No,  that  is  not  our  way. 

"  Well,  would  you  receive  a  slave  ? 

"  Yes,  if  we  believed  him  to  be  a  Christian. 

"What ! — receive  a  nigger  and  not  a  white  man  ? 
That  is  a  grand  insult  depriving  us  of  our  rights. 

"  Not  at  all.  We  do  not  say  you  shall  not  hold 
slaves  ;  all  we  want  is  to  keep  clear  of  supporting  it. 

"  Well,  if  that  is  your  principle  you  ought  to 
leave  the  State. 

"  I  was  born  and  raised  here — pay  for  my  privi-* 


REV.  ADAM  CIIOOKS.  93 

leges  under  the  law,  and  it  is  a  hard  case  if  I  am 
to  be  deprived  of  them. 

"(To  S.  W.  L.) — Well  sir,  where  are  you  from. 

"  Randolph  County. 

"  What  business  have  you  here  ?  * 

"  I  thought  I  was  a  freeman. 

"  Sheriff. — Well,  but  you  are  here  violating  o  :r 
laws. 

"  I  am  not  convinced  of  having  violated  your  laws. 

"  Bo  you  ever  preach  ? 

#  No  sir. 

"Do  you  exhort? 

11 1  never  have. 

"Do  you  ever  hold  meetings  ? 

"  No    sir. 

"  Squire  Harris. — Well,  you  pray  for  him  some- 
times when  he  asks  you  to,  don't  you  ? 

"  I  have  done  the  like.  [What  an  incorrigible 
sinner.] 

"A  voice. — He  came  to  see  Crooks  out;  we  will 
serve  him  the  same  as  we  do  Crooks. 

"  During  the  foregoing  there  was  much  anger  as 
well  as  insolence  exhibited. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Crooks,  will  you  give  us  a  promise 
that  you  will  leave  the  county  and  never  preach 
in  it  again  ? 

"That  question  has  been  answered.  When  you 
found  me,  you  found  me  a  free  man ;  when  you 
leave  me,  you  will  leave  me  either  a  tree  or 
a  dead    one. 


94  THE  LIFE  OP 

"Christian. — [to  mob]  Well,  it  will  not  do  to 
commence  a  thing  and  not  go  through  with  it. 

-'After  a  few  minutes  consultation,  four  magis- 
trates ordered  the  Sheriff  to  take  the  preacher 
to  jail. 

11  The  Sheriff. — I  command  all  present  to  assist 
me. 

"  (To  L.)     Do  you  wish  to  go  to  jail  ? 

"  I  believe  not. 

"  Orders  are  immediately  obeyed. 

"  The  Sheriff. — We  are  not  going  to  allow  bail ; 
this  case  is  too  bad  for  that." 

"  Well,  Paul  was  imprisoned. 

"  Yes,  but   them  times  was   different  from  these. 

"  And  these  times  are  no  less  different  from 
those. 

"After  ascending  a  pair  of  stairs. 

"  Sheriff. — [to  jailor.]      Where  shall  I  put  him? 

"Put  him  where  you  please,  I  will  keep  him  where 
you  put  him.  [Hesitating  a  few  minutes  whether 
to  commit  him  to  the  dungeon   or  debtor's  room.] 

"  Well  we  will  put  him  in  here,  [the  debtor's 
room.  | 

"Introduced  to  Mr.  Gad,  a  young  man  awaiting 
his  trial  for  assault  and  battery.  How  do  you  do, 
Mr.  Gad?  A  hissing  sneer,  such  as  devils  use 
when  they  receive  to  their  dark  abode  a  lost  spirit, 
was  indulged  in  by  the  rabble. 

"  The  doors  are  locked,  Crooks  is  confined  in  a 
gloomy  prison. 

"  Now  we  have  got  him  and  we  arc  going  to  keep 


REV.  ADAM  CMIOOKK.  95 

him,  and  North  Carolina,  not  Montgomery  County, 
will  have  to  pay  the  expenses. 

u  L.  is  left  to  choose  between  leaving  the  place  in 
fifteen  minutes  and  going  to  jail.  As  he  had  noth- 
ing to  detain  him  he  chose  to  [pave. 

"  The  room  in  which  the  preacher  was  confined, 
is  about  9x13  and  7  ieet  to  theceiling  above.  His 
fare,  or  more  properly  his  foul,  was,  for  bedding, 
some  blankets  directly  from  the  dungeon,  which 
were  ponderous  with  dust,  and  so  offensive  as  to  be 
sickening;  these  spread  upon  the  floor.  His  por- 
tion was  two  meals  per  day;  breakfast  and  dinner. 
The  food  was  passable,  the  floor  was  his  table, 
his  finger  served  instead  of  a  fork,  and  pocket- 
knife  for  a  table-knife;  a  plate  and  bowl  his  dishes. 
His  friends  miuht  furnish  him  with  superior  if  they 
saw  proper,  which  they  were  going  to  do, 

"A  committee  was  appointed  to  read  any  and  all 
writings  which  passed  between  him  and  his  friends, 
who  were  not  permitted  to  visit  him. 

"  None  but  his  enemies  could  enter  that  sanctum 
sanctorum.  The  committee  was  further  instructed 
not  to  release  their  prisoner  till  he  signed  a  bond 
like  McB ride's. 

"Monday,  a.  m.,  the  jailor,  or  rather  his  deputy, 
who  was  one  of  the  mob,  and  addicted  to  habits  of 
inebriation,  entered  the  jail  about  7  o'clock. 

"  Good  morning,  Mr.  Crooks. 

"  Good  morning,  sir. 

"  Howr  does  your  pulse  beat  by  this  time  in  regard 
to  leaving? 

"  As  it  did  on  yesterday. 


96  THE  LIFE   OF 

"  You  had  better  leave ;  they  are  determined  you 
shall  not  preach  any  more  in  the  county. 

"  Ah,  indeed ! 

"Nine  o'clock,  some  seven  or  eight  persons  among 
whom  were  Mr.  L.,  a  merchant  in  the  place,  and 
Mr.  H.,  a  Baptist,  both  slave-holders,  and  principal 
men  in  the  mob,  visited  Mr.  Crooks ;  were  very 
sorry  to  see  him  in  that  unhappy  situation ;  had 
no  doubt  that  every  man  of  honorable  feelings  and 
and  honest  heart  was  sorry. 

"  Mr.  C.     No  doubt  of  it  at  all. 

"You  are  being  imposed  upon  by  your  professed 
friends ;  you  are  a  stranger  and  they  pretend  they 
will  do  a  great  many  things ;  but  they  are  not  to  be 
depended  on ;  they  are  the  very  dregs  of  the  coun- 
ty. You  cannot  get  them  to  be  any  thing  that  is 
good ;  those  who  are  against  you  are  the  best  men 
of  the  county.  They  are  determined  you  shall 
preach  no  more  in  the  county.  There  is  no  more 
possibility  of  success;  you  can't  get  justice,  and 
you  had  as  well  attempt  to  set  this  jail  on  fire  with 
cold  water  as  to  accomplish  any  good. 

"  You  say  I  cannot  get  justice  ;  I  will  be  convicted 
whether  there  is  anything  proven  or  not;  will  not 
men  respect  their  oaths  ?  If  my  friends  are  as 
ignorant  and  wicked  as  you  say,  they  are  the  very 
people  who  need  preaching.  What  I  wish  to  know 
is,  what  is  my  duty ;  at  present  I  do  not  think  I 
can  ever  say,  I  will  never  preach  in  Montgomery 
County,  or  any  where  else. 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  97 

"  You  will  have  to  come  to  that  at  last.  Well, 
good  morning, 

•■  Good  morning. 

"After  remaining  from  Sabbath  till  Tuesday  P.  M,, 
consulting  his  friends,  who  advised  him  to  do  all 
his  conscience  would  permit  to  get  his  liberty,  and 
being  fully  convinced  that  his  rights  would  be  pro- 
tected neither  in  the  court,  or  out  of  it,  he  desired 
an  interview  with  the  committee  appointed  by  the 
mob,  which  was  readily  granted. 

"  Dr.  C. — I  am  very  sorry,  Mr.  Crooks,  to  see  a 
man  of  your  profession  and  qualifications  for  use- 
fulness in  your  situation. 

"  To  be  taken  from  my  work,  my  friends ;  my 
liberties  taken  from  me,  and  I  confined  in  this 
gloomy  cage,  is  sir,  by  no  means  congenial  to  my 
feelings.  But  here  I  have  been  put,  and  here  it 
appears  I  must  stay. 

"  Dr.  C. — Oh,  we  would  be  happy  to  release  you ; 
it  can  be  a  pleasure  to  no  one  to  see  you  here. 

"  Nor  can  it  be  a  pleasure  for  me  to  remain  ;  nor 
would  I  do  so,  were  I  permitted  to  leave  upon  con- 
ditions not  involving  a  surrender  of  my  liberties  as 
a  man  but  more  especially  as  a  Christian  minister. 

"  Of  course  we  will  require  nothing  unreasonable. 

"  It  has  been  done. 

"Well,  we  will  ask  nothing  that  we  Carolinians 
consider  unreasonable. 

u  I  have  been  trying  to  look  at  things  as  they  are, 
and  to  invoke  the  Divine  guidance,  and  have  come 
to  the  conclusion  thai;  I  can  be  more  extensively 


98  THE  LIFE  OF 

useful  elsewhere  than  in  this  county,  and  hence  to 

leave,   intending   not   to    preach   in   this     county 

again. 

"  We  were  instructed  to  require  a  bond. 

"[I  do  not  believe  the  bond,  if  given,  would  be 
worth  au  fig.  Nor  should  I  consider  any  instru- 
ment of  writing  more  binding  than  my  word. 

"  We  believe  you  will  do  anything  you  promise, 
but  we  must  go  according  to  orders. 

"  I  should  like  to  assist  in  wording  the  bond. 

"  We  will  write  the  bond  and  ihen  you  can  see 
if  you  can  sign  it. 

"Very  well. 

Whereupon  the  following  was  drawn : 

"Now  the  condition  of  the  above  bond  is  such  :— 
That,  whereas  the  above  bounden  Adam  Crooks  has 
been  advocating  and  preaching  abolition  doctrine 
contrary  to  our  laws  and  institutions,  and  this  hav- 
ing been  made  known  to  him  and  strictly  enforced 
on  him  to  desist  and  leave  this  county  and  never 
again  to  preach  in  said  county,  and  he  having 
agreed  to  do  so  *  *_  *  to  be  done  in  ten  days. 

"  After  the  reading  of  which,  Crooks  stated  that 
two  things  must  be  changed  before  he  could  sign 
the  bond. 

"  First :  You  say,  I  have  advocated  and  preached 
abolition  doctrine  contrary  to  our  laws  and  institu- 
tions; laws  must  be  struck  out.  I  do  not  believe 
I  have  violated  your  laws,  and  a  man  is  judged 
innocent  till  proven  guilty. 

"  Dr.  C. — I  suppose  he  does  not  like  to  leave  the 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  99 

county  under  the  stigma  of  having  broken  the  law. 

"  That  is  not  the  point  with  me,  doetor.  It  is  a 
matter  of  veracity.  Not  believing  I  have  violated, 
I  cannot  say  I  have. 

"  William  McKay — the  [jailor,  and  he  who 
drew  the  bond.]     We  think  you  have. 

"  I  do  not  ask  you  to  say  I  have  not,  but  to  re- 
lieve me  from  saying  I  have. 

"  Being  put  to  vote,  all  but  one  voted  not  to 
have  it  erased. 

"  Well,  said  one,  we  can  discuss  the  question. 

"  Crooks.— The  question  being  decided,  is  no 
longer  open  for  discussion ;  to  bring  it  before  you 
for  that  purpose  a  motion  to  reconsider  must  be 
made  by  one  who  voted  with  the  majority. 

"  The  matter  dropped  here,  and  'laws'  struck  out. 

"  The  second  change  which  must  be  made  before 
I  can  sign  this  bond  is,  the  conjunction  "  and " 
must  be  erased,  and  the  participle  "  intending  "  in- 
serted, so  as  to  read  k'and  leave  this  county  in- 
tending never  to  preach  in  said  county  again,'  in- 
stead of  "  leaving  this  county  and  never,"  &c. 

u  My  reason  for  asking  this  is,  because,  as  a  min- 
ister called  of  God  to  preach  his  gospel,  I  have  no 
right  to,  nor  can  I  say  1  never  will  preach  any 
where. 

"  Believing  I  can  be  more  useful  elsewhere  than 
in  this  county,  it  is  my  present  intention  to  leave  in- 
tending not  to  preach  in  it  again;  this  I  can  say, 
or  have  it  written  down.     Duty  may  require,  and 


100  THE  LIFE   OP 

things  may  so  change  as  for  it  to  be  desirable  that 
I  should  preach  in  the  county. 

"This  change  also  being  made,  the  bond  was 
signed,  and  Crooks  permitted  to  go  forth  again  to 
mingle  in  the  mighty  conflict  which  now  convulses 
the  moral  world.  His  heart  was  deeply  pained  to 
leave  the  Church  in  Montgomery ;  nor  would  he 
have  done  so,  only  from  a  clear  persuasion  that  he 
would  not  have  been  permitted  to  be  useful  to  it. 

"  I  was  released  from  confinement  in  the  Mont- 
gomery jail,  on  the  evening  of  the  1 7th  of  June. 
While  visiting  and  bidding  adieu  to  the  much 
injured  friends  in  that  county,  there  was  an  in- 
stance of  moral  heroism  which  it  affords  pleasure  to 
record.  After  taking  my  leave  of  Brother  V. 
Moore's  family,  I  was  called  back  to  write  in  the 
class-book,  the  name  of  his  daughter  C,  who  be- 
longed to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but 
would  continue  such  connection  no  longer — joined 
the  Wesleyans,  though  deprived  of  the  privilege  of 
preaching,  and  threatened  to  be  of  holding  prayer 
and  class  meetings. 

"  On  the  ensuing  Saturday  and  Sabbath,  I  had 
meeting  at  Bethel,  in  Kandolph  Co.,  a  mile  or  two 
from  the  Montgomery  line.  The  congregations 
were  large,  and  appeared  to  be  deeply  afflicted; 
one  brother  joined  the  Church. 

"A  portion  of  the  Montgomery  mob,  met  some 
distance  from  the  meeting,  but  concluding  they 
were  too  few,  disbanded.     Being  invited,  I  agreed 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS,-  101 

to  attend  a  funeral  in  Davidson,  to  be  preached 
the  following  Sabbath,  by  B.  L.  and  A.  K.,  Baptist 
ministers,  I  too  preached  after  them,  and  before 
the  congregation  dispersed.  This  meeting  was  to 
be  held  in  a  neighborhood  where  I  had  never  been. 
Threats  were  made  if  Crooks  came  he  should  be 
tarred  and  feathered  inside  and  out,  and  such 
like. 

"  The  hour  for  meeting  arrived,  and  with  it  an 
overwhelming  congregation  j  two  officers  were  on 
the  ground  to  see  that  the  laws  were  respected, 
and  the  rights  of  the  writer  protected.  The  mob 
did  not  appear.  While  speaking  from  2d  Cor.  4th 
and  5th,  a  glorious  unction  rested  on  the  audience. 

"  By  this  time,  a  feeling  of  deep  indignation  and 
strong  opposition  towards  the  conduct  of  the  mobs 
began  to  develop  itself;  indeed,  ere  I  came  out  of 
prison,  without  my  agency,  or  even  knowledge, 
a  company  was  being  raised  to  get  me  out  peacea- 
bly if  they  could,  forcibly  if  they  must.  Forcible 
resistance  or  violence  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  discourage. 

"  Tuesday,  had  a  meeting  in  Davidson,  but  about 
a  half  mile  from  the  Montgomery  line.  Violent 
threats  were  made  on  both  sides.  One  party  swore 
if  Crooks  attempted  to  preach  so  near  to  Mont- 
gomery, he  should  be  taken  back  to  Troy.  Anoth- 
er, if  they  come  for  that  purpose  they  should  have 
hot  shot.  This  meeting  also  passed  'without 
interruption. 

-  "Next  day,  meeting  at  Union,  in  Randolph  Coun- 
ty.    There  Z.  N.  made  an  effort  to  get  up  a  riot> 


102  THE  LIFE  OF 

but  failed.  Thank  God,  his  royal  presence  was 
signally  displayed. 

"  The  following  Saturday  and  Sabbath,  meeting  at 
Franklinsville.  Saturday  a  Doctor  from  Chatham 
came  to  town  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  mob  ;  but 
not  succeeding,  he  came  to  meeting  and  appeared 
during  the  sermon,  to  be  much  agitated  with  men- 
tal agony. 

"  From  the  17th  of  June  to  this,  the  6th  of  July, 
I  traveled  alone.  Brother  William  Yestal  now, 
became  my  traveling  companion. 

"  Tuesday,  we  had  a  precious  tiine  at  Freedom 
Hill,  in  Chatham  County.  Two  joined  the  Church, 
whom  may  God  bless.  The  house  at  this  place 
was  threatened,  but  I  guess  it  stands  yet. 

"Wednesday,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  Broth- 
er Wilson,  who  is  employed  on  Guilford  circuit, 
with  whom,  we  went  to  'Cool  Spring,'  in  Randolph 
County,  preached  a  funeral  sermon  to  a  large  and 
deeply  attentive  auditory.  The  funeral  was  of  a 
child,  a  namesake. 

"Thursday,  Brother  W.  preached  (I  was  sick  and 
unable  to  preach)  at  Craven's  School-house,  where 
some  months  since  my  buggy  was  much  abused. 
A  good  sermon  and  a  good  meeting. 

"Sabbath, meeting  at  Caraway.  Text,  "Finally, 
brethren,  farewell."  A  large  and  tender  con- 
gregation. 

"  Report  said,  the  Guilford  mob  was  going  to  be 
there,  and  join  a  wing  from  Randolph,  but  to  the 
credit  of  Randolph,  I  will  say  it  was  not  disgraced 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  103 

by  a  mob,  nor  did,  it  to  any  considerable  extent, 
sympathize  with  mobocracy.  No  interruption,  ex- 
cept some  conversation  during  worship  outside  of 
the  house. 

"  Wednesday  evening,  we  went  to  Abel  Guarde- 
ner's  in  Guilford. 

"  Thursday,  went  to  Jamestown.  News  is  im- 
mediately conveyed  to  Greensboro,  that  A.  Crooks 
is  at  Jamestown.  Here  I  saw  and  conversed  for  a 
few  minutes  with  G.  C.  Mendcnhall,  our  counsel, 
who  informed  me  he  could  not  get  McBride's  case 
before  the  Supreme  Court.  One  man  gave  me 
quite  a  philipic,  on  learning  that  I  was  a  preacher, 
and  taking  it  for  granted  that  I  was  a  pro-slavery 
one,  but  on  learning  wlio  I  was,  offered  his  ser- 
vices to  head  a  company  of  armed  men,  and  pro- 
tect my  person  wherever  I  might  wish  to  go.  This^ 
of  course,  I  did  not  wish  to  encourage. 

"  We,  Vestal  and  myself,  left  town,  the  sun  about 
fifty  minutes  above  the  horizon ;  thought  of  lodg- 
ing with  Mr.  B.,  about  a  mile  from  town,  but  con- 
cluded my  property,  if  not  my  person,  would  be  in 
danger  that  distance  from  town;  went  three  miles 
to  Brother  P's.,  did  not  yet  feel  satisfied,  and  trav- 
eled eight  miles  to  Brother  W.'s.  and  in  Randolph 
staid  till  next  evening,  when  we  went  to  Wm.  L.'s* 

"  Saturday  morning,  went  eleven  miles  to  T.  P.'s, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  whom,  on  the  Sabbath,  I 
organized  a  Church  of  ten  members. 

"  Monday,  I  went  to  the  S.  W.  part  of  Randolph 
County,   to  my  post-office,  and  got  a  letter  from 


104  THE  LIFE   OF 

Brother  Bacon,  stating  that  all  things  were  peace- 
able on  his  charge,  and  that  he  expected  to  remain 
another  year,  etc. 

"  Tuesday  morning,  early,  received  by  private- 
conveyance  a  letter  from  G.  C.  Mendenhall,  Esq., 
urging  me  for  my  own  sake,  for  the  sake  of  my 
friends,  the  public  peace  and  of  religion,  to  desist 
attending  a  Quarterly-meeting  which  was  to  be 
held  at  Union,  Guilford  County,  the  following' 
Saturday  and  Sabbath ;  a  meeting  which  that  gen- 
tleman knew  I  designed  attending;  and  if  I  enter- 
tained any  doubts  as  to  my  duty,  to  come  and  see 
him  forthwith.  If  I  desired  he  would  come  out 
of  Guilford,  the  county  in  which  he  lives,  into  Ran- 
dolph to  see  me,  etc.  I  started  immediately  to  see  M. 
u  Mr.  Mendenhall  assured  me  that  such  was  the  ex- 
citement in  the  public  mind,  that  my  presence  in 
Union,  on  Saturday  or  the  Sabbath  would  be  the  oc- 
casion of  bloodshed,  that  there  were  two  parties 
equally  determined,  one  that  I  should  be  arrested, 
and  the  other  that  I  should  not.  That  no  pains- 
had  been  spared  in  making  preparations  for  my  ar- 
rest, that  the  probability  was,  there  would  be  thous- 
ands from  Alamance,  Chatham,  Randolph,  David- 
son, Forsyth,  Rockingham  and  Guilford  counties 
for  that  purpose,  that  not  a  few  looked  upon  the 
conduct  of  the  mob  as  contrary  to  law,  in  violation 
of  the  Constitution  and  their  rights  as  citizens, 
which  the  Constitution  and  those  laws  were  de- 
signed to  protect,  and  who  were  determined  to  die 
in  their  defense ;  that  these  were  not  Wesleyans^ 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  105 

and  iii  order  to  prevent  the  most  sanguinary  scene 
that  has  ever  transpired  in  the  county,  it  was  the 
wish  and  request  of  my  friends  for  me  not  to  come 
to  the  meeting. 

"  I  suggested  that  perhaps  the  Constitutionalists 
might  be  dissuaded  from  their  purpose  to  resist. 

"  All  present  agreeing  with  Mendenhall  that  if  I 
were  at  Union  no  earthly  power  could  prevent  the 
effusion  of  blood,  and  that  I  ought  not  to  go.  I 
gave  Mr.  Mendenhall  leave  to  make  it  known  that 
I  would  not  be  at  the  meeting,  and  of  my  purpose 
to  start  for  Conference  shortly. 

u  On  receipt  of  this  information,  Mr.  Gilmer  de- 
clared I  should  not  be  interrupted  according  to  law 
or  otherwise  till  the  10th  of  August,  and  that  he 
would  make  every  possible  effort  to  prevent  the 
meetings  from  being  interrupted.  In  view  of  every 
circumstance,  I  thought  it  would  not  be  amiss  to 
let  my  whereabouts  remain  a  secret,  which  I  did. 
I  was  confirmed  in  this  belief  by  information  from 
a  friend  on  Friday,  that  the  day  before;  some  men 
came  to  Mr.  L.'s,  inquired  for  Crooks,  said  they 
had  a  warrant,  and  it  was  their  business  and  duty 
to  arrest  him,  made  search,  and  left  "  without  aid 
or  comfort." 

"  Saturday  morning,  ten  o'olock,  a  company  num- 
bering about  three  hundred,  came  from  different 
counties  armed  with  clubs,  pistols,  dirks,  etc.,  not 
expecting,  as  they  said,  to  find  Crooks,  but  they 
heard  that  Bacon  would  be  there,  and  were  re- 

5* 


106  THE  LIFE  OF 

solved  that  no  Northern  Abolitionist  should  preach 
in  the  Country. 

"A  company  was  also  there  armed  with  guns,  etc. 
determined  that  Bacon,  nor  any  orderly  man,  should 
be  abused  if  they  could  prevent  it.  Besides  these 
there  was  a  large  congregation  who  had  come  with 
other  intentions  from  different  parts  of  the  circuit. 

"  Before  separating,  the  mob  arranged  to  have  a 
circular  printed  and  scattered  broadcast,  in  which 
they  entered  into  a  resolution  to  give  their  con- 
tinued and  united  efforts  to  expel  Adam  Crooks 
and  J.  C.  Bacon  from  our  State— peaceably,  if  we 
can,  and  forcibly,  if  we  must. — And  to  affix  a  reward 
of  two  hundred  dollars  ($200.)  for  their  apprehen- 
sion, or  one  hundred  ($100.)  for  either  of  them,  if 
taken  anywhere  in  the  State,  after  the  5th  of 
August. 

"  On  Monday  morning  I  commenced  getting  ready 
to  depart  for  Conference  ;  took  my  buggy  to  R.'s, 
about  five  miles  from  Greensboro,  to  get  it  repair- 
ed; staid  at  R.'s  till  Tuesday,  a.m.;  then  started 
for  my  trunk  in  the  south-west  of  Randolph.  On 
my  return,  when  passing  a  house,  I  spied  Mr.  Stead, 
making  towards  his  barn,  which  is  about  eighty 
yards  from  the  road,  as  I  came  opposite  which, 
from  behind  a  stack  issued  stones  which  fell  around 
but  did  not  hit  me.  These  were  hard  arguments, 
but  are  never  needed  in  defense  of  a  good   cause. 

"When  I  landed  in  Guilford,  I  was  informed  that, 
notwithstanding  the  mob  had  entered  into  resolu- 
tion to  give  me  to  the  5th  of  August  to  make  my 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  107 

arrangrnents  to  leave,  and  that  I  should  not  be  in- 
terrupted according  to  law  or  otherwise,  till  after 
the  5th,  an  effort  was  made  to  raise  a  company  in 
Greensboro,  on  Monday  night,  to  take  me  at  R.'s, 
and  that  on  Tuesday  morning  a  slave  came  to  R.'s 
shop,  inquired  if  he  had  a  large  two-horse  carriage 
for  sale,  a  thing  never  made  in  that  country  unless 
ordered.  Seeing  me,  the  boy  asked  if  that  was 
Crooks ;  was  answered  in  the  affirmative.  About 
an  hour  after,  the  officer  in  company  with  the  slave, 
his  master,  and  others,  rode  up  to  R.'s,  inquired  if 
Crooks  was  there.  William  R.'s  son  answered, 
<*  He  is  not."  This  seemed  to  cause  great  surprise ; 
and  the  officer  manifesting  a  disposition  to  search 
the  house,  was  told  if  he  attempted  it  without  a 
search-warrant  he  must  kill  or  be  killed.  He  did 
not  insist.  William  told  the  truth;  I  was  not 
there,  being  on  my  way  after  my  trunk  j  a  happy 
escape  from  officers  of  injustice,  while  disappoint- 
ment was  the  reward  of  their  faithfulness  to  their 
own  resolution. 

"  The  object  in  getting  out  the  warrant  was  not  to 
give  me  the  benefit  of  a  trial  according  to  law,  but 
•as  a  pretext  why  I  should  be  taken  without  resist- 
ance, and  when  they  once  had  me  in  their  power, 
they  could  do  as  they  pleased  with  me.  Some 
threatened  to  hang,  and  others  to  tie  a  rope  around 
my  neck,  fasten  me  to  a  buggy,  and  take  me  where 
I  could  be  transported  to  an  uninhabited  island, 
from  whence  I  would  never  return  to  North  Caro- 
lina,    No  doubt  they  intended  not  to  let  me  leave 


108  THE  LIFE  OF 

without  at  least  entering  into  bonds  not  to  return. 
But  they  did  not  get  me,  and  may  I  not  say  with 
the  Psalmist,  cBy  this  I  know  thou  favorest  me,  be- 
cause mine  enemies  do  not  triumph  over  me.' 

"  Saturday  evening  the  second  of  August,  left 
B's.,  a  distance  of  about  nine  miles,  for  my  buggy; 
got  to  R's.  by  twelve  at  night,  and  deeming  it  un- 
safe to  remain,  accompanied  by  my  friends,  I  started 
for  J.  Stanley's,  a  distance  of  thirteen  miles,  where 
we  landed  all  in  safety  at  break  of  day,  and  from 
which  on  the  morning  of  4th.,  of  this  instant,  I 
started  for  this  place,  where  I  landed  after  a  lonely 
journey  of  five  hundred  miles,  performed  in  eleven 
and  a  half  days — and  was  cheered  by  the  smiles  of 
my  relatives  and  friends,  among  whom,  besides  my 
parents,  and  brothers  and  sisters,  I  will  name  Rev. 
J.  Phillips,  Rev.  J.  McRride,  and  Rev.  A.  R.  Demp- 
ster. 

"  As  this  letter  is  already  too  lengthy,  I  forbear 
indulging  remarks  as  to  the  happy  effects  the  con- 
duct of  the  mobs  has  had  in  directing  the  public 
eye  to  the  enormities  of  a  system  which  has  long 
warred  against  the  throne  of  God,  and  rights  of 
man.  They  intended  to  prevent  investigation,  but 
God,  who  causes  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him, 
and  taketh  the  wise  in  their  own  craftiness,  has 
caused  it  to  have  the  very  opposite  effect.  Never 
did  the  Carolinians  think  as  much  on  that  subject 
as  they  now  do.  Never  did  they  hate  Slavery  as 
they  do  now. 


REV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  109 

"I  entertain  the  confident  hope,  that  ere  long* 
American  Slavery  will  expire  amid  a  nation's  joy." 

OBSERVATIONS. 

Mr.  Crooks  finished  his  Conference  year  fully. 
During  all  his  difficulties,  he  never  neglected  one 
of  his  own  appointments.  Those  meetings  he  was 
persuaded  not  to  attend,  were  upon  brother  Mc- 
Bride's  work.  He  had  numerous  calls,  which  he 
did  not  and  could  not  obey.  During  those  four 
years  of  arduous  labor  and  almost  constant  danger, 
his  mother  fasted  twice  a  week  and  prayed  for  the 
advancement  of  $he  cause,  and  the  preservation  of 
her  son.  He  left  North  Carolina  with  sorrow  and 
sadness,  feeling  that  the  friends  of  Jesus  and  suffer- 
ing humanity  were  left  as  slieep  without  a  shep- 
herd, and  among  wolves.  He  left  many  warm 
personal  friends.  Among  them  he  counted  one  of 
the  lawyers  employed  in  his  trial,  George  Menden- 
hall,  Esq.,  and  his  estimable  wife.  They  were  ex- 
tensive slave-holders.  Their  slaves  came  into  the 
family  by  a  former  wife.  The  present  Mrs.  Men- 
denhall,  was  a  Friend,  and  opposed  to  chattalizing 
human  beings.  As  soon  as  they  could  do  so  they  set 
their  slaves  all  free.  Their  riches  consisted  in 
slaves  and  land.  The  earnings  of  the  slaves  were 
carefully  saved,  and  as  soon  as  enough  money  was 
accumulated,  a  company  was  started  for  Ohio  and 
Indiana.  Thus  they  liberated  nearly  eighty  thou- 
sand dollars's  worth.  They  were  years  in  doing 
the  work,  and  it  was  not  all  accomplished  when  the 


110  THE  LIFE  OP 

South  seceded  at  the   commencement  of  our  last 
war.     The  last  load  was  ready  and  started,  hoping 
to  be  allowed  to  cross  the  lines,  but  they  were  sent 
back.     They  were  in  the  care  of  Mrs.  Mendenhall. 
We  received  a  visit  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Menden- 
hall, when  we  were   living    on  Delaware    Circuit, 
The  journey  from  the  South  was  made  in  carriages 
and- covered  wagons.      When   at    our   house    they 
had  about  twenty  slaves,  old  and  young,  with  them. 
Several  years  before  the  work  was  all  accomplished, 
Mr.  Mendenhall  was  drowned  while  attempting  to 
ford  a  swollen  stream.     When  found  his  arms  were 
thrown  upon  the  bank,  and  in  hfe  hands  he  held 
his  satchel  containing  manumission  papers  for  all 
his  slaves,  who  were  still  in  the  South.     The  fami- 
ly were  very  great  sufferers  during  the  war.     When 
Mr.   Crooks  bade  them  farewell,  to  come  North, 
Mrs.  Mendenhall  placed  in  his  hands  a  paper,  con- 
taining the  following  poem,  beautifully  engrossed. 

May  He  whose  care 
Surrounds  the  little  sparrow  when  it  falls  — 
Who  hears  the  nestling  raven  when  it  calls, 

Still  prompt  thy  prayer  ! 

For  He  will  own 
All  that  His  holy  Spirit  inly  breathes — 
That  through  the  windings  of  the  heart  enwreathes 

A  sigh — a  groan. 

Look  round  and  see 
The  passive  dew-drop  on  the  lily  rest ; 
The  active  lightning  flash  from  east  to  wes*> ) 

So  may'st  thou  be. 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  Ill 

So  be  thou  taught — 
il  Install  <;  in  season,  out  of  Beason"  too, 
Vocal  like  thunder,  silent  like  the  dew 

With  blessing  fraught. 

0  !  let  thy  will, 
Thy  all  of  self  upon  the  cross  be  slain, 
That  all  of  death  may  die,— that  Christ  may  reign, 

And  man  '  be  still  !7 

Words  may  not  tell — 
Not  e'en  the  unseen,  silent,  parting  tear, 
How  earnestly  we  bless  thee — brother,  dear  ! 
Farewell!  Farewell! 

D.  E.  M. 
Guilford,  N.   C,  7th  mo.,  1851. 

FURTHER   ACTIVITIES. 

The  first  year  after  his  return,  he  was  appointed 
to  Zanesville  Charge.  As  the  membership  was 
small,  they  were  not  able  to  support  even  a  "  single 
man."  He  told  them  if  they  would  board  him,  he 
would  teach  school,  in  order  to  earn  enough  to 
defray  his  other  expenses.  He  commenced  a  pri- 
vate school.  Very  soon  he  gained  such  a  reputa- 
tion for  managing  bad  boys,  that  his  school  was 
largely  composed  of  boys  who  had  been  expelled 
from  the  public  schools  of  the  city.  He  was  very 
much  interested  in  the  teacher's  work. 

In  August,  1852,  he  was  appointed  preacher  in 
charge  of  Medina,  or  what  was  called  the  Granger 
and  Huntington  Circuits.  Rev.  George  W.  Bai- 
num  was  his  assistant.     He  was  also  elected  one 


112  THE  LIFE    OP 

of  the  delegates  to  the  General  Conference,  which 
held  its  session  in  Syracuse,  within  a  few  weeks. 
The  appointments  on  his  charge  were  many 
miles  apart,  making  long,  hard  rides.  His  home 
was  at  River  Styx,  Medina  County,  in  the  family  of 
brother  Turner.  He  could  be  there  but  little,  as 
the  work  on  the  different  parts  of  the  field  re- 
quired his  presence.  During  the  Winter,  they 
held  several  protracted  meetings,  with  good  suc- 
cess. At  Lodi  there  were  numerous  accessions, 
and  in  the  Spring  following,  a  new  edifice  was 
built. 

HIS  MAKRIAGE. 

The  third  of  May,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Eliz- 
abeth Willits,  student  and  teacher  of  Leoni  Insti- 
tute. In  a  book  presented  to  his  bride,  these  lines 
are  written : — 


A   HUSBAND'S    GIFT 

TO 
MRS.  E.  W.  CROOKS, 

Presented  on  our  wedding-day, 

Which  as  you  see, 
Is  the  third  of  May, 

Eighteen  fifty- three. 

And  as  my  parents  say 
The  same  is  my  birth -day, 
In  eighteen  twenty -four. 
Which  makes  me  one  score, 
Plus  nine,  and  no  more. 


As  the  gentle  shower 
Descending  from  above, 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  113 

Cheers  the  bright  May-flowers  ; 
So  shall  I,  my  dear, 
Seek  thy  heart  to  cheer 
By  kindnesses  of  love. 

For  eight  years  he  had  been  a  traveling  minister 
without  home  or  home-comforts,  literally  fulfilling 
the  injunctions — "Take  neither  purse  nor  scrip, 
for  your  journey."  "Eating  what  is  set  before  you 
asking  no  questions."  Sometimes  faring  sumptu- 
ously, and  sometimes  otherwise;  meanwhile  labor- 
ing hard  in  the  vineyard,  and  resting  wherever 
night,  overtook  him. 

In  speaking  of  this  experience  he  said,  "  He 
learned  to  call  each  l  sweet  spot'  a  home,  and 
every  man  a  brother."  He  always  said  he  never 
felt  like  complaining,  for  he  fared  better  than  his 
Master,  who  had  not  where  to  lay  his  head.  He  al- 
ways found  a  friendly  roof  to  shelter  him.  Though 
at  times  very  poor  in  this  world's  goods,  yet  the 
kind  Father  always  provided  for  his  necessities. 

At  the  Conference  held  August,  1853,  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  Huntington  Circuit  alone.  Here,  the 
last  of  September,  his  own  humble  home  was  first 
established.  Here  his  own  family  altar  was  first 
erected,  upon  which  ever  since,  continually  have 
been  offered  sacrifices  to  the  Most  High — the  fire 
upon  that  altar  never  grew  dim. — The  house-keep- 
ing was  commenced,  as  a  light  purse  would  dictate — 
very  plainly.  It  was  a  settled  principle,  "  There 
shall  be  no  debts."  If  there  was  not  ready  money 
to  get  all  we  wanted,  we  denied  ourselves,  or  waited 


114  THE  LIFE  OP 

until  means  were  given.  He  remained  on  this  cir- 
cuit two  years.  Quite  a  number  were  added  unto 
the  Lord,  and  a  new  church-edifice  was  built  at 
Huntington.  We  found  many  devoted  friends ; 
among  them  were  Timothy  Burr  and  wife,  of  pre- 
cious memory.  It  was  hard  to  leave  them ;  but  as 
there  was  some  difficulty  in  supplying  the  work  of 
the  Conference,  and  this  Charge  could  be  supplied 
by  those  who  lived  near,  and  did  not  wish  to  move, 
we  were  appointed  to  Delaware  Circuit.  Here 
three  years  were  spent  pleasantly,  and  with  profit. 
Several  new  appointments  added  to  the  field,  and 
some  of  the  old  ones  were  greatly  enlarged. 

TRIALS  AND  TRIUMPHS . 
At  Bennington,  the  house  of  brother  Marcus 
Philips  was  used  for  service.  The  congregation 
was  small,  but  they  had  precious  meetings.  Not 
far  away,  at  the  corners,  stood  an  old,  dilapidated 
Methodist  Episcopal  meeting-house.  There  had 
been  some  difficulty.  The  ministers  had  left, 
taking  the  church  records — even  the  class-book. 
For  eighteen  months  the  house  had  been  opened 
only  for  funeral  services.  Some  of  the  Christians 
in  the  neighborhood  sent  an  invitation  to  Mr. 
Crooks  to  come  and  preach  to  them.  A  pro- 
tracted meeting  was  held,  souls  were  saved,  Chris- 
tians were  encouraged.  By  request,  the  appoint- 
ment at  brother  Philip's  was  changed  to  the  church. 
The  membership  greatly  increased.  By  this  time, 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  brethren  thought  the  peo- 
ple ought  to  be  looked  after.  -  They  sent  a  preacher 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS. 


115 


once  in  two  weeks,  and  where  there  was  no 
service  at  all,  now  the  pulpit  was  supplied  every 
Sabbath.  They  reorganized  their  class,  and  some 
thought  should  close  their  doors  upon  us ;  but  we 
had  sympathy  of  the  community,  and  they  waited 
until  they  thought  it  would  be  safe.  When  there 
was  a  change  in  the  pastor,  they  shut  their  house 
against  us.  The  result  was,  we  were  able  to 
to  build  a  beautiful  new  church. 

A  meeting  of  great  interest  was  held  in  a  uew 
place,  (Fairview,)  lasting  seven  weeks.  There 
was  a  Presbyterian  church  in  the  village,  and  not 
far  away  a  Baptist,  but  no  Methodist.  There  had 
been  no  revival  there  for  many  years.  Eighty 
professed  to  find  the  Savior.  There  was  scarcely 
a  family  in  the  whole  neighborhood,  but  were 
subjects  of  the  Spirit's  influence.  There  were 
many  heads  of  families.  Many  homes  were 
changed.  The  world  had  held  sway,  but  now 
God  was  worshiped.  Fourteen  were  sprinkled, 
and  seventeen  immersed  in  one  day.  A  class  was 
organized,  and  a  church  built.  Some  of  those 
brought  to  Jesus  then,  are  now  singing  his  praise 
around  "  The  great  white  throne  on  high." 

The  woodland  home  of  the  Rev.  Edward  Smith 
was  near  Bloomfield,  where  his  remains  are  now 
interred.  We  visited  him  several  times.  During 
his  last  sickness,  we  spent  three  days  with  him. 
He  sent  word  to  the  brethren,  that  "  If  I  die  of 
this  attack,  all  is  well."  He  died  July  6th,  1856. 
Mr.  Crooks  preached  his  funeral  discourse   from 


116  THE  LIFE  OF 

2  Timothy  iv  :  6,  7.  8.  The  sermon  was  repeated 
by  request  during  Conference,  at  the  memorial 
service.  In  his  death,  the  cause  of  reform  lost  one 
of  its  most  fearless  advocates,  and  the  Church  of 
God  one  of  its  strongest  pillars.  Mr.  Crooks  was 
one  of  the  delegates  to  the  General  Conference 
held  in  Cleveland,  in  the  Fall  of  1856. 

At  the  Conference  of  1857,  Mr.  Crooks  was 
Chairman  of  Committee  on  Reforms.  This  is  what 
he  wrote  then,  eighteen  years  ago. 

ON  SLAVERY. 

"Resolved, — That  all  our  former  declarations  of  hatred 
and  opposition  to  the  system  of  American  Slavery,  are  by 
us  most  emphatically  re-affirmed.  We  still  believe  slavery 
to  be  evil,  and  only  evil,  opposed  to  the  well-being  of  the 
enslaver,  as  well  as  the  enslaved  ;  opposed  to  the  prosperi- 
ty of  the  nation,  to  the  spread  of  the  Christian  religion,  and 
to  the  salvation  of  men. 

Resolved, — That  there  is  a  oneness  of  sentiment,  on 
the  subject  of  slavery,  among  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
Churches  ;  that  we  have  peace  in  all  our  borders,  while 
other  denominations  are  convulsed  throughout,  in  conse- 
quence of  this  accursed  system  having  a  place  within  their 
pales. 

Resolved, — That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  our  much 
beloved  brother,  John  G-.  Fee,  of  Kentucky,  in  the  recent 
outrages  that  have  been  committed  upon  his  person  ;  and 
shall  most  earnestly  pray  the  God  of  Daniel  to  keep  him 
from  the  power  of  the  enemies  of  truth  and  righteousness, 
while  thus  pursuiug  his  labors  of  love,  in  planting  the 
standard  of  the  Redeemer  in  that  land  of  bondage. 

Resolved, — That  the  receDt  decision  ol  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  in  the  Dred  Scott  Case,  in 
which  it  is  declared  that  '  the  Negro  has  no  rights  that  the 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  117 

white  man  is  bound  to  respect,'  is  a  disgrace  and  a  burn- 
ing shame  to  the  nation,  at  war  with  the  Christian  religion, 
and  strikes  a  blow  at  the  rights  of  man,  and  should  there- 
fore be  disregarded  and  scouted  by  every  lover  of  the  Bible. 

ON  SECRET  SOCIETIES. 

Resolved, — That  wTe  will  firmly  maintain  our  disciplinary 
rule  against  the  admission  or  retention  in  our  Churches  of 
persons  holding  connection  with  secret  oath-bound  socie- 
ties. 

Resolved, — That  we  believe  the  principle  of  secrecy,  a3 
developed  in  the  various  secret  organizations  of  the  day, 
to  be  fraught  with  evil,  dangerous  to  political  purity,  to 
national  virtue,  to  the  rights  of  man,  inimical  to  the  cause 
of  liberty  to  the  oppressed  millions  of  our  land,  and  above 
all,  opposed  to  the  spread  of  that  light  which  is  the  life  of 
men. 

OX  TEMPERANCE. 

Resolved, — That  we  are  as  much  as  ever  convinced  of 
the  great  evil  of  the  sale  and  use  of  ardent  spirits  as  a 
beverage — And 

That  we  will  oppose  it  in  every  reasonable,  and  lawful 
way.  We  will  lecture,  preach,  pray,  and  vote  against  it, 
and  recommend  to  all  those  over  whom  we  may  be  able  to 
exert  an  influence,  to  forsake,  and  oppose  these  evils.77 

About  this  time  be  furnished  a  number  of  articles 
for  the  Wesleyan,  on  "  True  Politics  j"  also,  took 
some  part  in  a  discussion  upon  the  question, — "  Is 
the  Twenty-first  Section  of  Discipline,  on  Secret 
Societies,  law  ?"  He  was  present  at  the  General 
Conference  when  this  subject  was  discussed,  passed, 
and  by  a  majority  declared  to  be  law.  He  took  the 
position  in  his  argument,  that  if  it  was  not  law,  we 
should  spend  our  time  and  talents  in  making  it 
such,  not  in  attempting  to  prove  it  a  nullity. 


118  THE   LIFE  OP 

The  next  Conference  year  was  spent  on  Licking 
Circuit.  The  friends  were  very  pleasant,  but 
during  the  Winter,  the  Small  Pox  raged  in  the 
village  where  we  resided.  Great  fright. prevailed, 
and  there  would  have  been  great  suffering,  only 
that  Mr.  Crooks,  (who  had  this  disease  while  in 
Allegheny  City)  spent  a  part  of  each  day  visiting 
the  sick,  burying  the  dead,  and  encouraging  the 
living.  A  number  said  they  believed  they  should 
have  died  of  fright,  if  it  had  not  been  for  his 
words  of  comfort  and  hope.  As  a  matter  of 
course  he  could  not  attend  his  appointments,  for 
the  inhabitants  of  the  country  and  towns  adjacent, 
would  not  attend  Church,  Thus  the  year  passed 
without  any  marked  revival,  yet  the  children  of 
God  seemed  to  gain  strength  and  grace.  During 
this  year,  Mr.  Crooks  spent  all  his  leisure  time  in 
reveiwing  President  Finney's  Systematic  Theology. 
Afterwards,  parts  of  this  review  were  given  in  the 
Wesleyan.  He  has  since  said  that  "  this  close 
consecutive  thought  was  a  school  to  fitlrim  for  his 
work  years  after." 

LABORS  AT  CLEVELAND,  OHIO. 

In  the  fall  of  1859,  he  left  Licking  Circuit  to 
become  pastor  of  the  Church  in  Cleveland,  Ohio ; 
five  years  were  spent  with  this  good  people; 
true  hearts  were  found — noble  men  and  women ; 
those  who  for  the  right  and  truth  were  willing  to 
be  "little  and  unknown,"  if  the  cause  of  God  and 


REV.    ADAM    CROOKS.  119 

humanity  could  only  be  advanced.  For  years, 
this  Church  had  stood  a  moral  "  beacon  light"  to 
all  other  Churches  in  the  city.  Here  the  first 
church  edifice  was  built  by  the  "  people  called 
Wesleyans."  When  it  required  moral  stamina  to 
bear  the  name  Abolitionist,  here  was  a  band  of 
braves,  who  boldly  flung  to  the  breeze  the  banner 
of  liberty  to  all  alike. 

Soon  after  we  arrived  in  Cleveland,  John  Brown 
made  his  raid  into  Virginia,  was  taken  prisoner, 
and  the  2d  day  of  December,  1859,  witnessed  the 
death  of  this  earnest  friend  of  enslaved  humanity. 
We  assisted  in  the  preparations  for  appropriate 
memorial  services.  The  following  is  an  extract 
from  a  daily  paper  of  the  times  : — 

"IN    ME  MORI  AM. 

EXERCISES     COMMEMORATIVE     OF  THE    SACBIF1CE 
OF 

JOHN  BROWN." 

"  Across  Superior  Street,  from  the  Bennet  House  to  the 
Rouse's  Block,  was  stretch  a  banner  deeply  bordered  with 
black,  with  the  words  of  Brown,  J I  do  not  ihink  I  can 
better  honor  the  cause  I  love  than  to  die  for  it.; 

"  Several  places  of  business  in  the  city  were  closed  dur- 
ing the  day. 

"  Melodeon  Hall  was  draped  in  mourning  for  the  meet- 
ing held  there  in  the  evening.  The- stage  was  hung  with 
heavy  folds  of  crape  caught  up  with  white  rosettes. 
Around  the  gallery  were  folds  and  festoons  of  crape  with 
white  rosettes.  Festoons  of  crape  hung  from  the  walls, 
the  girders  and  the  chandeliers,  while  the  pillars  were 
wound  with  the  insignia  of  mourning. 


120        .  THE  LIFE  OF 

"Over  the  center  of  the  stage  hung  a  large  and  fine 
photograph,  of  the  Hero  of  Harper's  Ferry,  encircled  with 
a  wreath.     Above  this  was  the  motto  : — 

"'amaricus  humanis  generis,.' 

"On  the  left  of  the  picture  was — 'John  Brown,  the 
Hero  of  1859/  and  on  the  right — '  He  being  dead,  yet 
speaketh.'  Still  further  to  the  right  were  the  following — 
'The  end  crowns  the  work.'  f  If  I  had  interfered  in  be- 
half of  the  great,  the  wealthy  and  the  wise,  no  one  would 
have  blamed  me.' — John  Brown  to  the  Court  of  Virginia ; 
and  on  the  left  the  following — '  Remember  them  that  are 
in  bonds  as  bound  with  them.'  {  His  noble  spirit  makes 
despots  quail,  and  freedom  triumph.' 

"  The  whole  was  arranged  with  fine  effect,  and  showed 
that  the  ladies  had  been  in  no  wise  inattentive. 

"  The  Meeting. — The  number  of  persons  present,  and 
the  character  of  the  meeting  is  stated  as  follows  by  the 
Cleveland   Morning  Leader  : — 

"  '  As  early  as  half-past  six  o'clock  the  dense  throng 
crowding  into  the  "Melodeon"  testified  the  universal  interest 
felt  in  the  nature  and  objects  of  the  meeting,  and  at  seven 
o'clock  there  was  not  a  vacent  seat  in  the  Hall,  and  the 
standing  places  were  all  occupied.  There  were  not  less 
than  1400  persons  in  the  Hall,  about  one-third  of  whom 
were  ladies.  The  strictest  attention  was  given  to  the 
exercises  throughout — deep,  earnest  attention. 

"  '  J.  H.  W.  Toohey  called  the  meeting  to  order,  and 
introduced  tie  Rev.  Mr.  Brewster,  of  the  Weslejan 
Church,  who  read  the  following  passages  of  Scripture — 
"  Epistle  of  James,  v  :  1  to  18;  First  Timothy,  iv  :  10  to 
18  j  First  Corinthians,  xv  :  19  to  34." 

"The  Throne  of  Grace  was  then  addressed  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Crooks,  in  an  eloquent  prayer,  acknowledging  the  hand 
of  God  in  all  the  events  of  life,  and  his  dealings  with  the 
children  of  men.  We,  as  a  nation,  the  ministers,  the 
Churches  and   people,  are  guilty    of  the    crime   that    has 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  121 

tliis  day  been  done,  in  the  execution  of  him  who,  respond- 
ing to  his  promptings  of  conscience,  endeavored  to  set  the 
bondmen  free.  He  closed  with  the  prayer  that  all  pres- 
ent might  so  live  that  they  might  die  in  the  hope  of  the 
Gospel.'  " 

Mr.  Crooks  was  one  of  the  speakers  of  the  eve- 
ning. He  also  prepared  a  sermon  to  be  delivered 
to  his  own  people  the  next  Sabbath  evening,  but 
was  invited  to  use  the  hall,  which  he  did.  There 
was  a  full  house,  and  close  attention.  His  text 
was — "  He  that  departeth  from  evil  maketh  him- 
self a  prey" — Isaiah  lix:  15.  From  this  sermon, 
the  following  are  a  few  extracts : 

"  Again,  how  are  we  to  honor  Lafayette,  who,  from  pure 
and  unselfish  devotion  to  the  holy  cause  of  human  free- 
dom, left  the  security  and  quietude  of  a  princely  home, 
came  to  a  land  not  his  own,  and  threw  himself  into  all  the 
dangers  and  hardships  of  tent  and  field,  that  he  might  be- 
stow upon  an  oppressed  people,  the  priceless  boon  of  free- 
dom ;  and  then  brand  with  "  traitor'7  an  American  citi- 
zen for  a  devotion  no  less  pure,  and  a  bravery  and  a  mag- 
nanimity equally  exalted  f  Why  cry  a  crown  for  one,  and 
a  halter  for  the  other?  Or,  how  are  we  to  transmit  to 
posterity,  as  worthy  of  imperishable  glory,  the  names  of 
Eaton  and  Decatur,  who  displayed  such  distinguished 
bravery  for  the  rescue  of  enslaved  American  citizens,  from 
Tripolitan  masters ;  aod  then,  upon  the  same  page,  seek 
to  couple  the  name  of  Brown  with  lasting  infamy  and 
substantial  disgrace  ?  Or,  how  lavish  our  sympathies 
upon  Poland,  Hungary,  or  any  of  the  European  nations 
struggling  for  freedom,  and  then  unsparingly  censure 
Brown  for  his  more  practical  sympathy  for  the  oppressed 
millions  of  our  land  V 
»'•*.*.■#  *.*'#*# 


122  THE  LIFE  OF 

"  He  had  seen  that  the  purpose  of  the  party  dominant 
in  the  nation  is  to,  as  tar  as  possible,  enlarge  the  area  of 
slavery,  legislate  directly  for  its  protection  in  the  Territo- 
ries, and  to  re-open  the  piratical  foreign  traffic  in  human 
"beings.  He  had  seen  the  ermine  of  the  Supreme  Federal 
Judges  stained  by  a  decision  which  would  have  shocked 
the  moral  sensibility  of  even  the  Jefferies — making  the 
administration  of  justice  depend  upon  complexion  !  He 
had  seen  that  slavery  is  an  element  of  discord  and  strife 
in  the  bosom  of  this  Nation,  and  the  mortal  foe  to  the 
prosperity  and  even  the  perpetuity  of  this  Confederacy. 
He  had  seen  that  there  is  no  political  party,  of  any  con- 
siderable numerical  strength f  which  even  professes  to 
seek  the  overthrow  of  this  monster  iniquity.  And  last, 
but  not  least,  he  saw  that  the  vile  man -thief  enjoys  unob- 
structed access,  to  even  the  "high  places"  of  our  popular 
Zion,  and  that  the  oil  o.f  our  incense  is  largely  mixed  with 
the  sweat,  blood  and  tears  of  the  poor  oppressed.  Know- 
ing and  seeing  all  this — as  a  last  forlorn  hope,  he  and  his 
less  than  Spartan  band,  made  deadly  assault  upon  the 
myriad  robbers  of  their  brothers'  right.  And,  like  Leoni- 
das,  he  fell  a  sacrifice  to  his  native  bravery  and  noble  love 
of  liberty;  and  like  him,  he  fell  to  be  loved  and  honored. 
Henceforth  let  Harper's  Ferry  be  styled  the  Thermopylae, 
and  John  Brown  the  Leonidas  of  this  nation. 

"But  the  truth,  alike  shameful  and  apparent,  is  unde- 
niable ;  that  it  is  owing  to  the  pro-slavery  character  and 
action  of  this  Government,  together  with  the  faithlessness 
of  the  popular  Churches,  that  John  Brown,  and  his  unfor- 
tunate coadjutors  died  upon  a  Virginia  scaffold. 

But  American  Slavery  cannot  be  eternal.  .God's  justice 
will  not  sleep  forever;  aid  God  is  against  slavery.  His 
word  is  against  it ;  His  government,  both  moral  and  provi- 
dential, is  against  it ;  the  prayers  qf  his  people  are  against 
it;    the   common,  unperverted  conscience  of  mankind   is 


REV.    ADAM    CROOKS.  123 

against  it;  and  the  cry  of  the  poor  oppressed  is  going  up 
continually  against  it.  It  is  doomed  to  a  speedy,  and, 
possibly,  violent  dissolution. 

"  The  iron  chariot  of  oppression  is  not  always  to  roll  its 
ponderous  cylinders  over  the  prostrate  but  sacred  form  of 
humanity,  squeezing  hissing  streams  of  blood  from  the 
life-cavities  of  her  great  heart.  God  is  already  shaking 
the  nation,  and  the  pro-slavery  Churches,  from  center  to 
circumference.  Speaking  from  his  throne,  ere  long,  he 
will  say,  as  anciently  :  '  I  have  seen  ;  I  have  seen  the 
affiictions  of  my  people,  and  am  come  down  to  deliver 
them.' 

"And  when  that  time  comes,  as  come  it  must,  the 
names  of  Pierce,  Douglass,  Buchanan,  and  H.  A.  Wise, 
together  with  all  those  of  the  servile  tools  of  the  Slave- 
power,  will  be  but  synonymous  with  ( cruelty,'  'infamy,7 
and  u  misanthropy,"  and  suggestive  of  whatsoever  is 
odious ;  while  that  of  John  Brown,  associated  with  the 
names  of  those  who  have  been  distinguished  for  fidelity 
alike  to  G-od  and  humanity,  will  be  resplendent  with  the 
imperishable  honors  of  Corinthian  Laurel." 

At  no  time  during  his  labors  in  Cleveland  was 
there  a  great  revival;  yet  there  was  a  steady 
growth,  both  in  spirit  and  in  numbers.  Souls  were 
converted,  and  there  were  quite  a  number  of  ac- 
cessions to  the  Church.  The  church-edifice  was 
removed,  repaired  and  refurnished.  The  congre- 
gation was  much  increased.  All  seemed  to  have 
renewed  zeal  to  labor  for  God.  A  prayer  and 
class  meeting  was  established  in  the  suburbs 
where  a  number  were  converted,  An  appoint- 
ment, five  or  six  miles  in  the  country,  for  preaching 
Sabbath  afternoons,  was  added  to  the  work. 

Several  of  the    early  supporters  of  this   Church 


124  THE  LIFE  OP 

have  received  their  "  summons  to  the  mansions 
above."  They  have  laid  aside  the  weapons  of 
warfare,  and  have  gone  to  that  home  where  the 
11  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary  are 
at  rest."  Their  record  is  on  high.  In  that  great 
day  of  final  account,  Jesus  shall  say  to  them : 
"  Well  done.  Enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy 
Lord." 

During  our  residence  here,  our  Nation  became 
involved  in  our  last  "  terrible  war."  All  loyal 
hearts  were  burdened  for  the  salvation  of  our 
Country.  Our  sympathies  were  greatly  enlisted 
for  our  "  brave  boys  in  blue,"  and  for  their  dear 
ones  at  home.  A  number  of  those  dear  to  us 
were  called  to  sacrifice  their  loved  ones  for  their 
Country's  good.  With  aching  hearts  and  tearful 
eyes  we  carried  them  to  their  last  resting   place. 

Many  tokens  of  kindness  and  sympathy  were 
received  from  the  friends  here,  and  it  was  with 
sorrowful  hearts  we  left  them,  knowing  little  of 
the  trials,  burdens,  and  conflicts  before  us ;  but  the 
path  of  duty  seemed  to  lead  us  away. 

In  July,  1863,  Mr.  Crooks  received  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  Adrian  College  : — 

Adrian,  Mich.,  July  3,  1863. 
Rev.  A.  Crooks,  Cleveland,  Ohio  : — 

Dear  Brother : — At  the  late  Annual  Meeting  of  the 
Trustees  of  Adrian  College,  you  were  regularly  elected  to 
the  honorary  degree  of  "  Master  of  Arts,"  together  with 
Rev.  L.  C.  Matlack,  W.  W.  Lyle,  and  Jas.  J.  White,  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  which  was  duly  announced  by  the 
President  at  our  recent  Commencement. 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS,  125 

The    Board   is   pleased  to    tender  this  expression  of  es- 
teem for  yourself  personally,  and  to  convey    to  the  public 
this  assurance   of    confidence   in    your  literary  and  moral 
standing  in  society.       Respectfully  and  Truly  Yours, 
John  McEldowney,  Sec'y. 

ELECTION  TO  THE  EDITORSHIP. 

The  General  Conference,  held  at  Adrian,  Mich- 
igan, June,  1864,  elected  Mr.  Crooks  Editor  of 
the  American  Wesleyan.  Had  he  felt  free  to 
follow  his  own  preferences,  he  would  have  still  re- 
mained a  pastor.  His  heart  was  in  that  work.  He 
had  been  told  that  in  all  probability  he  would  be 
one  of  the  candidates  for  the  office  of  Editor.  He 
did  not  believe  it  would  result  in  his  election.  Among 
his  last  words,  as  he  left  for  the  Conference,  were 
these  :- — "  Do  not  feel  troubled  about  this  matter, 
for  I  am  confident  that  there  are  those  who  will 
stand  before  me  in  the  minds  of  our  people.  There 
is  no  danger  of  my  being  called  upon  to  occupy 
that  position."  He  stated  to  the  Conference  his 
preference  to  remain  in  the  pastoral  work.  But 
the  Conference  decided  to  elect  him  Editor.  He 
always  made  it  a  principle  to  follow  the  leadings 
of  Providence — to  walk  in  the  path  opened  before 
him.  He  accepted  the  position,  returned  to  Cleve- 
land, and  commenced  arranging  his  affairs,  prepa- 
ratory to  leaving,  as  he  was  needed  at  the  office 
immediately.  His  Church  and  congregation  were 
wholly  unprepared  for  this  change.  Some  of  them 
felt  that  it  ought  not  so  to  be;  and  to  human  eyes  it 


126  THE  LIFE   OF 

seemed  to  require  great  self-sacrifice.  The  Church 
was  in  a  prosperous  condition,  spiritually  and  tem- 
porally. The  house  of  worship  had  been  put  in 
good  repair.  All  was  pleasant  between  pastor  and 
people.  "  Peace  was  in  all  her  borders,  and  pros- 
perity within  her  walls."  But  God,  who  sees  the 
end  from  the  beginning,  and  judges  righteously, 
knows  what  is  best  for  his  children,  and  where  he 
can  use  them  for  his  own  glory,  and  the  upbuilding 
of  his  cause  and  kingdom  on  the  earth.  It  is  his 
prerogative  to  guide,  and  ours  to  follow. 

June  23d,  he  left  Cleveland  to  commence  his 
duties  in  the  office  of  the  American  Wesleyan,  in 
Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  and  on  the  28th  of  June  appeared 
the  following : — 

" SALUTATORY." 

"  In  entering  upon  the  untried  duties  of  his  of- 
fice, the  '  new  Editor'  will  be  expected  to  state,  at 
least  in  general  outline,  his  views  of  the  objects  to 
be  secured,  and  of  the  principles  and  policy  which 
should  govern,  in  the  performance  of  those  duties. 
As  this  expectation  is  most  reasonable,  it  shall  be 
met  at  once.     Then, 

"  1.  Being  the  organ  of  a  Connection  of  Chris- 
tian Churches,  the  primal  objects  of  the  American 
Wesleyan  should  be  the  success  of  Christian 
enterprise — 'the  spread  of  scriptural  holiness, 
over  these  lands'- — consisting  in  piety  and  purity, 
correct  faith,  genuine  experience,  and  correspond- 
ing practice.  '  Holiness  unto  the  Lord'  should  ra- 
diate from  ever  issue. 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  127 

"2.  As  the  organ  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
Connection  of  America,  the  paper  should  more  im- 
mediately serve  the  interests  of  this  particular 
Christian  denomination,  promoting  its  peace,  puri- 
ty, unity  and  prosperity,  advocating  its  doctrines, 
propogating  its  principles,  and  chronicling  its 
triumph.  Yet  at  the  same  time,  as  a  public  re- 
ligious journal,  it  will  take  pleasure  in  recording 
the  acheivements,  moral  and  spiritual,  of  sister 
denominations.  It  should  be  a  medium  for  the 
diffusion  of  general  Christian  intelligence. 

"  3.  The  organ  of  a  denomination  eminently 
reformatory,  as  heretofore,  so  in  time  to  come,  the 
American  Wesleyan  should  speak  no  ambiguous 
language  respecting  the  great  reforms  of  the  day. 
As  our  Connectional  banner — battle-torn  though  it 
be — it  must  continue  to  float  from  the  foremost  and 
highest  battlements  of  Zion,  defiant  of  all  sin,  as 
when  first  given  to  the  breeze.  These  are  not  the 
times  in  which  to  haul  down  our  flag,  use  Quaker 
ordnance,  fire-blank  cartridges  or  offer  truce  or 
amnesty  to  rebels  in  arms  against  any  claim  of 
God  or  interest  of  humanity.  Slavery  must  not 
be  allowed  to  revivify.  Its  utter  extinction  must 
be  rendered  certain.  Unrelenting  warfare  must  be 
waged  against  the  monster  iniquity — Intemperance. 
The  spirit  of  violence  must  be  rebuked  and  checked 
— the  arbitrament  of  the  sword,  treated  as  a  ca- 
lamity finding  its  dreadful  necessity  only  in  sin, 
and  to  be  remedied  by  the  Gospel;  and  all  'mifruit- 


128  THE  LIFE   OF 

ful  works  of  darkness'  must  be  '  reproved/  All 
this  means  work  and  conflict.  The  apostolic  or- 
der, '  First  pure,  then  peaceable/  is  not  to  be  es- 
teemed either  obsolete  or  inappropriate. 

"  Most  obviously,  dissensions  and  needless  divi- 
sions among  Christians  are  to  be  deplored  as  de- 
pleting, uneconomical  and  schismatic.  From  tlie- 
first,  our  existence  as  a  distinct  organization  was 
felt  to  be  a  painful  necessity.  Union,  both  in  fact 
and  form,  among  the  disciples  of  '  one  Lord,'  is  to 
be  encouraged  and  promoted.  Yet  it  should  not 
be  forgotten  that  true  Christian  unity- — '  the  unity 
of  the  spirit'— -is  accordant  with,  and  tolerant  of 
variety,  and  hence,  in  some  sense,  of  dissimilarity. 
At  the  same  time  it  should  be  remembered,  that 
any  real  union  between  moral  opposites  is  not  pos- 
sible; and  if  even  possible,  yet  not  desirable. 
Our  motto  shall  be, —  Union  at  the  expense  of  right? 
never ;  hut  for  the  sake  of  right,  always  and  every- 
where. 

"  The  loyalty  of  the  American  Wesleyan  shall 
be  unconditional.  Committed  to  the  support  of 
no  political  party,  merely  as  such,  it  shall  yet  not 
be  indifferent  to  '  that  part  of  ethics  which  con- 
sists in  the  regulation  and  government  of  a  nation 
or  state  for  the  promotion  of  its  safety,  peace  and 
prosperity;  comprehending  the  defense  of  its  ex- 
istence and  rights  against  foreign  control  and  con- 
quest, the  augmentation  of  its  strength  and  re- 
sources, and  the  protection  of  citizens  in  their 
rights,  with  the  preservation  and  improvment  of 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  129 

their  morals.'  (See  Webster1 's  Definition  of  Politics.) 
It  shall  oppose  as  destructive  of  the  interests  ol 
the  Nation,  all  corruption,  whether  of  private  mor- 
als or  in  public  life ;  and  inculcate,  as  a  Christian 
duty,  the  exercise  of  the  elective  franchise  for  the 
elevation  to  positions  of  honor  and  trust  '  men 
who  fear  God  and  hate  covetousness.'  It  shall 
seek  to  fan  the  fires  of  intelligent  patriotism — 
strengthen  the  hands  of  the  Government  in  its  ef- 
forts to  suppress  rebellion;  and  especially  a  re- 
bellion having  fur  its  object  the  establishment  of  a 
government,  the  chief  corner  stone  of  which,  is 
the  iniquitous  system  of  human  chattelization.  It 
shall  denounce,  as  taritors  to  God  and  enemies  of 
mankind,  all,  of  every  latitude,  who  either  openly 
or  covertly  sympathize  with  the  present  rebellion. 
And  it  shall  seek  to  nerve  the  heart  and  arm  of 
the  living,  and  speak  words  of  comfort  to  the 
dying  patriot  soldier  j  and  bestow  upon  his  friends 
at  home,  its  warmest  and  most  Christian  sympa- 
thies. Most  happily,  in  all  these  respects,  the 
Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection  of  America,  is  a 
unit.  Thank  God,  there  is  not  a  traitor  in  the 
entire  body. 

"  The  principles  governing  in  the  composition  of 
the  American  Wesleyan,  shall  be  such  as  most 
fully  accord  with  the  foregoing  objects. 

"  Its  spirit  and  policy    shall    be   liberal.     Both 
sides    of  all   questions    proper    to   be   considered 
shall  be  heard  at  reasonable  length.     This  being 
6* 


130  THE  LIFE  OF 

the  case,  the  Editor  is  not  to  be  held  responsible 
for  any  sentiment  which  he  does  not  personally  en- 
dorse. Christian  courtesy  must  characterize  style 
and  matter.  Investigation,  rather  than  disputation, 
shall  be  encouraged.  General  interests,  and  not 
individual  wishes,  are  to  be  consulted  in  determin- 
ing what  shall  be  admitted  and  what  excluded. 
The  rule  shall  be  to  disallow  the  discussion  of  all 
merely  local  and  personal  differences.  The  door 
may  not  readily  open  for  the  admission  of  careless 
writers.  Records  of  grace  victorious,  whether  as 
seen  in  marked  conversions,  beautiful  lives,  or 
triumphant  deaths,  are  insured  a  hearty  welcome. 
"It  is  with  great  diffidence  and  self-distrust 
that  the  new  Editor  assumes  the  duties  and  re- 
sponsibilities to  which  he  has  been  called,  and  es- 
pecially so,  in  view  of  the  corps  of  able  editors 
preceding;  Scott,  Lee,  Matlack,  and  Prindle.  But 
when  he  remembers  that  the  inexperience  in  the 
chair  is  fully  atoned  by  the  large  experience  of  our 
excellent  Agent,  Bro.  Prindle ;  that,  adopting  mili- 
tary phraseology,  he  is  to  be  supported  by  such 
staff  officers  as  Dr.  Lee,  W.  W.  Crane,  W.H.Brew- 
ster, L.  C.  Matlack,  W.  W.  Lyle,  and  H.  B- 
Knight,  as  Corresponding  Editors,  together  with 
many  competent  field  officers  in  the  form  of  con- 
tributors; and  that  his  readers  are  too  intelligent 
and  liberal  minded  to  either  require  or  expect  per- 
fection in  any  human  production,  his  heart  is  more 
than  doubly  assured.  For  mere  frigid  critics,  he  has 
neither  fear  nor  fellowship,  but  only  indifference.  He 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  131 

£an  promise  only  to  do  his  best  to  send  to  its  readers 
the  American  Wesleyan  laden  with  '  food  con- 
venient' to  make  them  intelligent,  hopeful,  happy, 
zealous,  efficient,  and  mature  Christians.  Then, 
trusting  not  to  his  own,  but  to  Divine  wisdom,  and 
asking  and  expecting  the  sympathies,  counsels,  and 
above  all,  prayers  of  his  readers,  the  new  Editor 
assumes  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  his 
office." 

The  work  was  new,  and  his  duties  arduous  from 
the  first;  for  in  connection  with  his  editorial 
work,  he  had  all  the  proofs  of  the  two  papers  to 
read  and  correct.  Very  soon  calls  to  attend  Quar* 
terly  Meetings  were  received,  to  which  he  respond- 
ed. He  and  Dr.  Prindle  together  supplied  the 
pulpit  at  Seneca  Falls,  for  a  number  of  months. 

His  heart  was  alive  to  the  condition  of  our 
Nation,  For  years,  dangers  had  threatened  on 
every  hand;  traitors  were  at  home  and  abroad^ 
Only  confidence  in  the  wisdom  and  power  of  that 
God  who  never  fails,  kept  up  his  courage  .From  an 
editorial,  published  July  20,  1864,  we  give  a  few 
leading  heads  :— 


"  1.  A  primary  demand  of  the  times  is,  that  the 
masses  be  made  to  comprehend  the  events  tran- 
spiring, 'to  know  in  this  our  day,  the  things 
which  make  for  our  peace.'  In  times  of  such 
weighty  significance,  this  is  often  important  even 
in  a  Monarchical  Government ;  in  a  Republic,  it  is 
absolutely  indispensable.     Ours   is  a  government 


132  THE  LIFE  OF 

of  the  people,  and  the  hands  of  the  people  must  be 
made  skillfal  to  guide  the  Ship  of  State  amid  rocks? 
and  darkness  and  tempest.  They  should  be  made 
intelligent  not  only  in  history,  and  the  philosophy 
of  history,  but  in  the  rich  and  deep  philosophy  of 
the  eventful  present.  They  should  be  made  intelli- 
gent as  to  the  wicked  moral  forces  which  have 
caused  this  rebellion,  the  hellish  purposes  of  its 
guilty  leaders ;  and  its  inevitable  results  if  success- 
ful, upon  their  position,  pecuniary  and  social,  and 
even  liberties  for  generations  to  come.  And  that 
the  people  may  be  thus  instructed,  the  very  air 
should  be  rendered  vocal  with  truth  uttered  from 
street,  and  cottage,  and  counter,  and  platform,  and 
pulpit,  and  press.  This  is  no  time  for  either  indif- 
ference, silence,  or  inaction. 

"  2.  The  popular  conscience  needs  to  be  enlight- 
ened. The  nation  needs  to  be  taught  the  inviola- 
bility of  the  Divine  law — that  '  though  hand  joined 
with  hand,  the  wicked  shall  not  go  unpunished '/ 
and  that  no  nation  can  long  survive  persistent  de- 
parture from  the  eternal  principles  of  rectitude. 
Upon  this  subject  we  must  have  '  precept  upon 
precept,  precept  upon  precept ;  line  upon  line,  line 
upon  line,"  until  this  truth  permeates  the  national 
heart,  and  becomes  a  sovereign  sentiment. 

"  3.  The  times  imperatively  demand  that  posi- 
tions of  public  trust  be  filled  with  men  of  incor- 
riipt ible  patriotism,  broad,  enlightened  and  states- 
mi.  -like  views,  and  of  inflexible  integrity;  while 
all  unprincipled   demagogues   and   political  gam- 


REV.  ADAM    CROOKS.  133 

biers,  of  whom  it  may  well  be  said,  as  of  Leo  X., 
that  they  '  get  into  office  like  a  fox,  rule  like  a  lion, 
and  die  like  a  dog,'  should  have  their  part  in  the 
place  kept  for  the  burial  of  strangers.  They 
should  be  esteemed  the  Nation's  worst  enemies, 
and   treated  accordingly. 

"  4.  An  all-ruling  and  undying  patriotism,  a 
patriotism  which  'endureth  all  things,1  is  another  re- 
quisite of  the  times.  The  rebellion  with  which  the 
Nation  is  grappling  in  life  struggles  is  of  unprece- 
dented proportions.  Hundreds  of  thousands  of 
lives;  husbands,  fathers,  sons,  brothers — and  hun- 
dreds of  millions  in  money  have  already  been  given, 
and  the  end  is  not  yet.  Hundreds  of  thousands  more 
of  husbands,  fathers,  sons,  and  brothers,  and  hun- 
dreds of  millions  more  of  money  may  yet  be  re- 
quired before  we  realize  the  right  solution  of  'the 
grave  problem — If  the  Nation  is  to  live ;  if  Free 
dom  is  to  die  !  Heaven  grant  that  our  integrity  to 
the  interests  involved  may  abide  the  seven-fold 
heated  furnace. 

u  5.  The  times  demand  a  United  North.  "  Di- 
vide, and  conquer'  was  the  motto  which  shaped 
the  policy  of  ancient  Rome.  United,  Carthage 
and  Syracuse  would  have  been  invincible  against 
Rome,  but  enemies,  and  divided,  they  fell  victims 
to  their  common  foe.  For  the  last  fifty  years,  the 
South  has  practiced  this  policy  against  the  North, 
and  in  the  interests  of  slavery.  The  political 
parties  have  unwittingly  been  our  Carthage  and 
Syracuse. 


134  THE  LIFE  OF 

"  There  are  those  in  our  midst,  whose  names 
need  not  be  written,  but  who  share  the  protection 
of  our  laws,  enjoy  the  immunities  and  benefits  of 
our  liberal  institutions,  and  subsist  upon  the 
bounties  of  our  plentiful  Country,  who  nevertheless, 
like  ingrates,  prove  themselves  enemies  in  this,  the 
hour  of  our  Country's  peril.  To  us,  these  are  far 
from  being  an  element  of  strength,  but  like  others, 
they  can  expect  to  stand  only  upon  their  good 
behavior.  For  the  Nation's  sake,  for  the  sake  of 
the  blood  and  treasure  already  expended ;  for  the 
sake  of  coming  generations,  and  for  the  sake  of 
the  dearest  interests  of  humanity,  '  as  far  as  lieth  in 
us,'  let  there  be  a  United  North.  Let  not  the  pro- 
phetic words  of  our  Washington  be  unheeded,  that 
'United,  we  stand,  divided,  we  fall.1 

"  6.  Another  demand  of  the  times  is  continued  lib* 
erality.  We  say  continued — for  in  the  past,  in  the 
form  of  the  Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions, 
and  the  numerous  other  concerted  and  individual 
schemes  for  the  protection  and  comfort  of  our 
brave  soldiers,  say  nothing  of  what  has  been  done 
for  their  families  at  home,  there  has  been  a  munifi- 
cence of  liberality  displayed,  for  which  the  history 
of  the  world  has  no  parallel.  This  should  not  be 
allowed  to  suffer  any  abatement. 

"  7.  The  times  demand  an  unfaltering  faith  in 
God,  and  in  the  final  triumph  of  the  right.  '  This 
is  the  victory  that  overcometh,  even  your  faith,' 
In  the  absence  of  faith  there  can  be  neither  cour- 
age, nor  purpose,  nor  endurance   nor    efficiency. 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  1  35 

The  times  require  that  in  all  these  respects  we 
'  show  ourselves  men.' 

"8.  Our  manifold  sins  of  profanity,  pride,  self- 
adulation,  worldliness  and  oppression,  together 
with  the  fearful  retributions  of  Heaven,  call  loudly 
for  deep  humiliation  and  true  penitence,  including 
a  purpose  and  determination  to  '  break  every  yoke 
and  let  the  oppressed  go  free.' 

"  9.  Last,  but  not  least,  the  demands  of  the 
times  must  fail  of  being  met,  without  a  stronger 
faith,  more  fervent  piety,  more  all-consuming  zeal, 
and  a  deeper  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit." 

In  an  editorial,  written  after  our  national  skies 
were  brightening}  giving  our  position  as  a 
nation  a  few  years  before,  and  our  then  present 
prospects,  he  says : 

"  MORAL  PROGRESS    OP  THE    NATION." 

"  Through  our  highest  .courts  we  had  declared 
that  a '  man  of  color  has  no  right  which  a  white 
man  is  bound  to  respect;'  and  in  violation  of 
plighted  faith,  we  had  opened  the  virgin  soil  of 
Kansas  to  the  ingress  of  slavery,  and  persistently 
employed  the  powers  of  the  Government  for  the 
infliction  of  slavery  with  all  its  untold  horrors 
upon  an  unwilling  people.  And  with  but  few  noble 
exceptions,  the  religious  bodies  of  the  land  were 
acquiescent.  Thus  both  Church  and  State  were 
criminally  in  the  interests  of  slavery.  Here  is 
where  we  were  when  the  present  war  commenced. 
But  we  thank  God,  a  brighter  record  awaits  us. 


136  THE  LIFE   OF 

"  Maryland  has  enrolled  herself  among  the  Free 
States ;  Missouri,  Arkansas,  Louisiana  and  Alabama 
are  moving  in  the  same  direction.  The  Metho- 
dist E.  Church  has  closed  its  communion  against  all 
slave-holders;  other  Churches  are  uttering  words 
of  denunciation  against  the  system,  merited  and 
distinct;  and  as  a  crowning  act,  by  a  large  ma- 
jority of  both  Houses  of  Congress,  the  infamous 
Fugitive  Bills  of  1793  and  1850  are  wiped  from 
the  statute  books  of  the  Nation,  and  the  repealing 
act  approved  and  signed  by  the  President.  Three 
years  ago,  in  the  eyes  of  the  Nation,  slavery  was 
legitimate,  petted  and  defended ;  now  it  is  well 
nigh  esteemed  an  outlaw  and  rebel  against  God; 
the  Nation,  and  the  interests  of  humanity. 

"More  than  twenty  years  ago,  Orange  Scott? 
and  other  true  prophets  of  the  Lord,  clearly  saw 
and  foretold,  that  '  the  days  of  American  Slavery, 
were  numbered ;  that  its  death-warrant  was  sealed 
in  Heaven.'  We  had  hoped,  however,  to  bring 
about  the  work  of  repentance  to  the  extent  that 
its  execution  would  not  subject  the  Nation  to  pun- 
ishment, nor  -peril  its  existence.  But  in  this  re- 
spect our  hopes  were  not  to  be  realized*  We  were 
doomed  to  disappointment,  sad  and  grievous. 
God  be  praised  that  we  are  learning  obedience  by 
the  things  we  suffer.  Fruitless  regrets  aside,  God 
does  not  needlessly  afflict  the  children  of  men- 
<  True  and  righteous  are  his  judgments.'  May  we, 
as  a  nation,  speedily  show  mercy  to  all  the  afflicted, 
that  mercy  may  be  shown  us.     Amen  !" 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  137 

Later  he  said  : — 

"  The  dark  clouds  are  fast  lifting  from  our 
Country's  horizon.  Victory  seems  to  crowd  upon 
the  heels  of  victory.  Let  grateful  thanksgiving 
continuously  go  up  to  God  for  benefits  bestowed, 
together  with  fervent  prayers  for  the  speedy  be- 
stowal of  a  righteous  and  perpetual  peace." 

Still  later  he  wrote,  as  follows : — 

"  HOPE    FOR    THE   NATION." 

"Watchman,  what  of  the  night?  Is  there  hope 
for  the  Nation  ?  After  all  that  has  been  expended 
in  blood  and  treasure  must  we  still  perish  ?  We 
have  survived  the  conflict  of  arms;  shall  we  be 
adequate  to  the  perils  of  peace  ?  These  are 
questions  of  appalling  significance.  Our  enemies 
in  Europe  answer,  No !  Is  the  wish  parent  to  the 
prediction  ?  We  believe  that  the  lap  of  the  future 
is  freighted  with  good  for  our  Country.   Reasons  : — 

"  1  The  Nation  is  forever  redeemed  from  the 
curse  of  slavery.  The  war,  the  Proclamation,  and 
the  Constitutional  Amendment  settle  that  question 
beyond  all  peradventure.  Liberty  is  now  and 
ever  shall  be  in  the  ascendant.  Thank  God,  in 
this  Country  she  has  secured  a  continental  home. 
We  shall  never  have  another  rebellion  in  the  in- 
terest of  slavery.  The  body  politic  is  forever  re- 
lieved of  this  great  element  of  unrest. 

"  2.  The  Nation  is  likewise  purged  of  the  es- 
sentially disintergrating  element  of  the  doctrine  of 
State  Sovereignty,  in  its  perverted  application. 

"  3.     The  aristocrats,  anti-republicans  and  fac- 


150  THE  LIFE  OF 

tionists  of  the  South,  who  have  ruled  the  Country 
for  the  last  half  century,  are  forever  dethroned. 

"  4.  In  this  Country  patriotism  is  no  longer  to 
be  an  empty  name ;  but  is  to  be  a  living  sentiment 
forever  entempled  in  the  Nation's  heart. 

"  5.  In  our  own  eyes,  in  the  eyes  of  the  world, 
and  in  reality,  we  are  stronger  to-day  than  ever 
before.  Stronger,  because  relieved  of  those  inter- 
nal elements  of  revolt,  slavery,  perverted  state 
sovereignty,  and  their  fruits  and  necessary  ad- 
juncts; pride,  contempt  for  honest  toil,  impatience 
of  restraint  and  the  spirit  of  domination. 

"  6.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  politicians  have  learned 
a  lesson  of  prudence  and  caution.  Hereafter,  let 
political  leaders  adhere  to  the  truth,  address  rea- 
son, and  not  appeal  to  blind  passion. 

"  7.  Not  only  has  the  Nation  been  purged,  poli- 
ticians taught  wisdom,  but  we  rejoice  to  believe 
that  our  religion  and  our  Churches  have  been  im- 
proved. Thank  God,  that  at  last  the  distinct  ut- 
terances of  the  Pulpit,  the  religious  Press,  Doctors 
of  Divinity,  and  ecclesiastical  assemblies,  are  no 
longer  in  the  interest  of  the  wealthy  and  proud 
oppressor,  but  unqualifiedly  in  favor  of  the  poor 
and  oppressed.  This  single  truth  lights  the  whole 
national  heavens  with  a  glow  of  promised  good ! 
Let  heaven  and  earth  rejoice  at  once  over  a  disen- 
thralled Nation  and  Church. 

"Finally,  There  is  hope  for  our  Counrty,  because, 
as  our  national  currency  attests,  '  In  God  we  trust.' 
He  has  not  put  us    in    the  furnace  for  destruction, 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  139 

but  for  purification.  A  brighter  era  is  just  before 
us  !  This  glorious  truth  murmurs  in  every  brook 
and  streamlet,  whispers  in  every  breeze,  and  makes 
glad  music  in  the  interior  of  every  soul.  God  has 
great  thoughts  and  purposes  of  good  for  this  Na- 
tion. There  is  hope  for  oar  Country,  for  our  chil- 
dren in  coming  generations,  and  for  liberty  in  all 
lands ! 

DENOMINATIONAL  UNION  MOVEMENT. 

Mr.  Crooks  had  not  been  in  the  chair  editorial 
many  months,  before  the  subject  of  our  union  with 
some  other  denomination  began  again  to  be  agi- 
tated and  as  the  prospect  of  our  Nation's  final 
release  from  the  "  sum  of  all  villainies"  became 
more  and  more  apparent,  the  matter  was  urged 
more  and  more  earnestly.  When  freedom  to  the 
millions  of  slaves  was  proclaimed,  the  friends  of 
the  "  union  movement"  said  :  "  Slavery,  the  primal 
cause  of  our  organization  as  a  body  of  Churches, 
is  dead,  and  there  is  nothing  to  be  gained  by  our 
continued  existence.  We  can  now  disband  con- 
sistently." They  forgot  that  in  destroying  our 
little  Zion,  they  were  destroying  the  religious 
home  of  our  people,  the  most  of  whom  had  never 
known  any  other.  For  this  cause  they  had  fought 
"many  a  battle  sore,"  had  "  many  atrial,"  "made 
many  a  sacrifice,"  and  the  little  home,  though  hum- 
ble, was  very  dear  to  their  hearts.  Many  could 
not,  in  conscience,  go  to  any  other,  and  would   be 


140  THE  LIFE  OF 

left  homeless  and  uncared  for  during  their  journey 
to  the  better  land. 

It  was  asserted,  time  and  again,  by  those  who 
ought  to  have  known  the  truth,  that  "  Our  people, 
as  a  mass,  are  ready  for  the  change."  Under  these 
circumstances,  Mr.  Crooks  could  do  nothing  but 
"  let  the  people  speak  for  themselves,  and  decide 
for  themselves." 

The  battle  raged  long  and  fiercely.  Many 
seemed  to  forget  that  Jesus  taught:  "And  unto  him 
that  smiteth  thee  on  the  one  cheek,  offer  also  the 
other."  Some  of  us  then  learned  the  lesson — If  we 
hope  to  be  forgiven  we  must  forgive. 

He  stood  between  the  two  fires,  and  tried,  with 
constant,  unceasing  prayer  to  God  for  help,  to  hold 
the  balances.  If  ever  man  soughttodeal  justlyin 
this  matter,  he  did.  God  alone  knows  the  trials 
of  those  days  and  months ;  God  alone  knows  the 
heavy  blows  which  fell  upon  his  devoted  head,  and 
burdened  heart.  When  I  remember  those  days  of 
conflict,  I  am  filled  with  wonder ;  how  could  he 
have  borne  all  be  did  ?  He  could  not,  only  God 
was  with  him. 

In  looking  over  files  of  letters,  I  find  copies  of 
some  of  his  replies  to  those  who  wrote  him  on  the 
subject  of  the  "  Union."  I  give  a  few  extracts  to 
show  his  spirit : 

June  8,  1869. 
11  Wholly  aside  from  any  conviction  of  right  and  wrong 
in  the  case,  I  cannot    but   regard    it   [the    '  Union    Move- 
ment7] as  unfortunate  at  this  time.     Keasons  : — 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  141 

"1.  It  is  not  spontaneous  with  our  people.  It  origi- 
nates with  the  few;  hence,  the  many  are  nut  ready  for  it. 

"2.  It  involves  a  question  which  has  heretofore  dis- 
tracted us,  and  conceruiug  which  many  of  our  people  are 
strongly  bouud  in  conscieuce. 

"3.  This  being  true,  it  puts  the  unity  of  our  own 
people  in  imminent  peril.  Unless  the  greatest  prudence  is 
exercised,  we  are  to  be  exploded,  and  with  all  the  prudence 
possible,  we  are  to  be  distracted  and  alienated.  This  at  a 
time  when  we  should  be  joyful  over  past  achievements,  and 
active  in  doing  the  work  of  the  hour  for  the  freedmen. 

"  4.  It  puts  Adrian  College,  now  in  its  infancy,  in  jeop- 
ardy, when  it  needs  all  the  help  of  all  the  people.  W  hen 
our  attention  should  be  eminently  fixed  upon  it,  we  are  oc- 
cupied with  this  '  Union7  matter.  Thus  our  people  are 
distracted,  and  in  suspense,  and  indeed,  being  alienated, 
when  they  should  be  a  unit,  both  in  heart  and  effort. 
The  Convention  (Cleveland)  must  not  ignore  the  voice  of 
the  people,  and  Adrian  College  must  act  so  as  not  to  lose 
the  confidence  of  our  people. 

"5.  Five  years  ago,  when  every  prominent  man  among 
us  favored  the  '  Union,7  it  could  not  be  effected.  These 
facts  have  their  significance,  and  on  these  accounts  I 
tremble  for  results.     God  help  us  all  to  act  wisely." 

July  24,  1865. 
"  I  shall  be  as  prudent  as  possible,  but  violate  my  con- 
science, or  be  dishonest  I  will  not.     The  Lord  helping  me." 

March  21,  1866. 
"  God  is  witness,  I  have  tried  to  be  impartial.  If  I  am 
supposed  to  be  opposed  to  the  publication  of  anything  on 
either  side  calculated  to  throw  light  on  the  subject  of  duty 
as  to  this  matter,  I  am  the  worst  misunderstood  man  in 
the  Connection.  I  have  been  pained  ten-foldmore  be- 
cause of  the  profound  silence  of  the  authors  of  the  '  Union 
Movement,7  on  the  subject  in  its  moral  aspect,  than  by  all 
other  considerations  combined.     No,  I  shall    most  gladly 


142  THE   LIFE  OP 

welcome  truth  from  either  side.  My  heart  has  "been  as  a 
furnace,  because  of  the  aforesaid  silence.  I  wish  you  would 
immediately  send  a  statement  of  facts  as  to  what  was  done 
respecting  Adrian  College.  If  anything  decisive  has  been 
done,  it  looks  badly.  1st, — Because  of  profound  silence. — ■ 
2d, — It  looks  like  an  attempt  to  almost  force  '-Union' mat- 
ters, and  3d, — To  make  the  College  practically  sure  to 
those  who  go  into  the  l  Union,'  and  as  a  denominational 
enterprise  lost  to  those  who  do  not  go  in.  It  has  a  terrible 
bad  countenance.  If  a  full  statement  of  the  facts  will 
satisfy  our  people,  you  do  yourselves  and  them  great  wrong 
in  withholding  it.     If  it  will  not,  then  God  help    us. 

11  Another  point  : — Our  people  are  far  from  being  ready 
for  concerted  action.  Not  a  few  are  opposed  to  the 
'  Union'  entirely  ;  others  favor  a  union  of  all  Methodists, 
and  others  of  only  non -Episcopal  bodies.  In  a  very  few 
years  lay  delegation  will  be  incorporated  into  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church.  This  will  make  the  existence  of 
the  new  body  either  sickly  or  temporary. 

"  In  view  of  all  these  facts,  is  it  wise  to  press  the 
'  Union  Movement'  to  a  speedy  consummation  ?  I  cannot 
so  regard  it.  Rocky  roads  require  slow  and  careful  driv- 
ing ;  rapid  driving  wyill  be  damaging,  may  be  fatal  to  the 
vehicle.  There  are  times  when  it  is  the  dictate' of  the 
highest  wTisdom  to  '  make  haste  slowly.'  Delay  may  se- 
cure concert;  haste  will  surely  be  fatal."  . 

May  10,  1866. 

11  You  know  my  heart  in  relation  to  this  great  question  f 
how  I  desire  that  God  should  guide  you  and  me  and  all 
of  us  in  the  right  way.  .  .  As  to  our  '  fate  being  sealed' 
— that  '  we  cannot  live' — I  do  not  believe  a  word  of  it.  If 
wre  but  do  the  work  of  a  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  we  will 
be  subject  to  the  law  of  increase.77 

March  27,  1867. 

"  By  some  I  may  be  judged  as  self-seeking.  God  for- 
bid !  I  do  not  seek  ease,  nor  shun  toil.  Following  the 
pillar  of  God's  providence,  I  went   and  remained  in  North 


EEV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  143 

Carolina  at  the  peril  of  my  life,  and  now  I  am  where  God 
and  the  brethren  have  put  me.  I  never  sought  position, 
and  I  shall  antagonize  nothing  nor  any  one,  hut  as  duty 
may  seem  to  impel. 

u  I  would  not  let  myself  think  otherwise  of  thee,  my 
brother.  His  will  as  known,  to  be  our  law,  may  He 
keep  us  ever  in  this  spirit.  -With  you,  I  do  not  know 
what  I  shall  do,  only  that  I  shall  seek  to  please  God." 

Also,  in  another  of  the  same  date,  but  to  an- 
other person,  he  says  : — 

tl  In  an  emergency  it  is  no  time  to  seek  new  friends, 
but  to  depend  upon  old  ones,  true  and  tried.  When  those 
who  have  been  sapping  the  foundation  of  confidence  in 
our  perpetuity,  get  through  with  that  kind  of  work,  if 
they  ever  do,  then  we  may  hope  to  succeed  in  enlarging 
our  list.  You  say  you  '  want  the  Wesleyan  to  live.' 
Those  with  whom  you  are  in  correspondence,  boast  that 
'  the  Way  of  Holiness  has  gone  down,  and  the  Wesley- 
an soon  will.7  If  I  wanted  a  house  to  stand,  be  assured, 
I  would  not  keep  incessantly  digging  away  its  founda- 
tion. 

"Keverse  our  position  and  relations,  and  let  me  pursue 
the  course  you  have  and  are  pursuing,  and  as  a  man  of 
sense,  I  ask  you  what  you  would  think  of  me  ?  [Would 
you  still  think  me  acting  the  part  of  a  brother?]  1  allude 
both  to  your  conversation  and  correspondence.'7 

In  October,  1866,  Dr.  Prindle  resigned  his  po- 
sition as  Agent,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Book  Com- 
mittee. At  the  same  meeting,  Mr.  Crooks  was 
appointed  Agent.  His  first  editorial  after  his 
agencj'  commenced,  was 

"  EARNEST    WORDS    TO  WESLEYANS." 

"Beloved  Brethren  and  Sisters: — Just  at 
this  point  in  our  history  there   are   evils  to.  which 


144  THE  LIFE  OP 

we  are  greatly  exposed  and  against  which  we 
should  be  strongly  fortified.  We  will  name  some 
of  them. 

"With  us  as  a  denomination,  the  last  twenty 
months  have  been  months  of  earnest,  and  in  some 
instances,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  caustic  controversy. 
As  in  the  case  of  Paul  and  Barnabas,  the  conten- 
tion became  '  sharp.'  There  is  danger  of  pro- 
tracting these  contentions  to  our  own  injury,  as  also 
of  fostering  feelings  not  compatible  with  Christian 
charity  and  fraternity.  Having  been  thoroughly 
canvassed,  may  not  these  questions  of  controversy 
be  profitably  dismissed,  at  least  from  the  field  of 
disputation?  W^e  are  confident  that  this  is  in- 
tensely desired  by  a  large  majority  of  our  people. 
And  awarding  integrity  of  motive  to  all,  shall  we 
not  rise  to  an  altitude  of  Christian  charity  and 
magnanimity  which  will  keep  our  hearts  united  in 
unabated  Christian  fellowship  and  esteem?  We 
are  brethren.  Wesleyans  must  not  fall  out  by  the 
way.  In  matters  of  such  vast  moment,  blind  pas- 
sion may  not  innocently  be  consulted.  Let  us 
earnestly  covet  and  devoutly  pray  for  the  '  best 
gift' — that  without  which  by  the  verdict  of  inspira- 
tion, we  are  nothing. 

"We  should  give  noplace  to  needless  discourage- 
ments. We  cannot  free  ourself  from  the  conviction 
that  undue  emphasis  has  already  been  given  to  dis- 
couragement. We  have  even  heard  it  more  than 
whispered,  that  our  continued  existence  as  a  sepa- 
rate organization  is  not  possible.     Duly  sensible 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS,  145 

as  we  believe  we  are  to  all  that  tends  to  discourage, 
our  faith  in  the  possibility  of  a  continued  useful  ex- 
istence has  never  for  one  moment  faltered.  Viewed 
and  judged  from  a  merely  human  stand-point,  our 
prospects  are  vastly  better  than  were  those  of  Isra- 
el at  the  Red  Sea,  or  the  disciples  after  the  Cruci- 
fixion, or  of  Luther  at  Worms,  or  yet  of  the  Wes- 
leys  when  they  first  entered  upon  their  career  of 
grand  spiritual  achievement  and  triumph.  What, 
if  for  some  years  past  we  have  been  under  the  law 
of  diminution :  the  same  is  true  of  larger,  sister  de- 
nominations. These  have  been  years  of  special 
trial  to  all  Churches.  Moreover,  there  is  a  dimi- 
nution which  contributes  to  strength  and  perpetuity. 
All  new  bodies  are  less  or  more  the  victims  of  a 
kind  of  floating  capital,  to  be  relieved  of  which  is 
a  real  deliverance.  Of  this  class  of  character,  Wes- 
ley ans  have  had  their  full  share.  If  we  will  but 
faithfully  do  the  work  of  a  Christian  Church,  multiphj 
converts  and  build  up  believers  in  all  the  Christian 
graces,  we  will  quickly  pass  from  under  the  law  of 
diminution  and  come  under  that  of  increase.  Our  con- 
tinuance and  growth  under  G-od,  therefore,  is  with 
ourselves.  If  we  deserve  an  existence  our  extinc- 
tion is  not  possible. 

"As  in  former  times,  God  has  made  us  his  van- 
guard in  his  great  battle  for  the  temporal  deliver- 
ance of  his  oppressed  poor,  may  he  not  have  in 
reserve  for  us  a  future  of  a  still  higher  and  more 
glorious  significance;  the  calling  of  his  people    to 


146  THE  LIFE  OF 

a  larger  spiritual  liberty  ?     For   years  there   has 
been  imbedded  in  the  Christian  consciousness  the 
conviction  that  the    Churches  are   signally   failing 
to    fulfill   the    great   mission    of  evangelizing   the 
world.     We  have  churches  and  pulpits,  and  preach- 
ers, and  learning  and  talents   and  sermons  enough, 
but  conversions  are  few,  and  in  too  many  instances 
only  partial.     A  higher  and  better  state    of  things 
must  be  inaugurated,  or  otherwise  the  conversion 
of  the  world  is  not  even  the  subject  of  reasonable 
hope.     What  is  the  great  defect  ?     The  ready  an- 
swer comes,  Want  of  the  spirit  of  power  on  the 
part  of  God's  minister's  and  people.     Other   rea- 
sons there  are ;  but  the  great  foundational  and   all 
comprehensive   reason  is   found  here.      '  Not  by 
might  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  spirit,  saith   the 
Lord.'     God  will  not  share  his  glory  with  another. 
In  the  work  of  saving  men  too  much  must   not  be 
awarded  to  human,  nor  too  little  to  Divine  agency. 
Hence,  in  his  great  wisdom  God  chose  the  '  foolish 
things   of  this  world   to  confound  the    wise;  and 
God  hath  chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to 
confound  the   things  which  are  mighty  j  and  base 
things  of  the  world,  and  things  which  are  despised, 
hath  God  chosen,  yea,  and  things  which  are  not, 
to  bring  to  naught   things    that  are.'     Hence,  too, 
men  of  great  power  with  God,  are  invariably  men 
of  much  prayer.     To  us  it  was  cause  of  exceeding- 
joy  as  we  visited  the  Conferences  at   their   recent 
sessions,  to   find  that  many  of  our    ministers  are 
coming  to  the  apprehension  of  this  great  and  vital 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  147 

truth.  It  was  in  harmony  with  this  apprehension, 
that  having  resolved  to  continue  its  present  eccle- 
siastical relations,  the  Iowa  Conference  immediate- 
ly adopted  the  following :  '  Here  and  now,  to  the 
glory  of  God  and  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  we 
consecrate  ourselves  renewedly  to  the  work  and 
service  of  Christ,  trusting  not  in  forms  or  usages, 
but  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  for  success.'  Also  many 
of  the  members  of  the  Michigan  Conference  re- 
newed their  ordination  vows;  and  the  gracious 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  descended  and  rested 
richly  upon  them.  Yet  as  it  respects  this  subject, 
we  only  see  men  as  trees  walking.  May  the  entire 
ministry  renew  their  covenant  vows;  and  may 
Heaven  bestow  upon  us  and  upon  all  the  Churches, 
abundantly,  the  baptisim  of  zeal  and  of  power ! 
And  let  all  the  people  say,  Amen  !" 
Part  of  editorial,  January,  1867. 

"'UNION     MOVEMENT' CALLED     CONFERENCE. 

"From  the  first  we  deprecated  the  ' Union 
Movement,'  so  called ;  fearing  it  could  only  work 
disaster.  The  sequel  proves  that  these  fears  were 
well  founded.  But  we  supposed  that  in  the  ab- 
sence of  general  harmony,  the  enterprise  would  be 
abandoned.  In  this  we  were  sadly  disappointed. 
Opposition  soon  began  to  develop.  Both  sides 
were  allowed  an  impartial  hearing.  For  many 
months  the  contest  raged  around  our  head,  and  we 
remained  silent.  It  becoming  apparent  that  op- 
position was  formidable,  Conference  after   Confer- 


148  THE  LIFE  OP 

ence  resolved,  1st.  Not  to  compromise  any  of  our 
positions  on  moral  questions ;  and,  2d.  Not  to  de- 
stroy our  own  denominational  unity.  Hence,  we 
were  confident  that  the  Cincinnati  Convention 
would  meet,  consult,  and  pray  over  the  general 
subject  of  Christian  union,  and  part,  leaving  each 
denomination  with  integrity  unimpaired ;  just  as 
brother  Matlack  afterwards  said  he  advised.  But 
as  is  well  known,  this  was  not  the  policy  adopted 
by  the  Convention.  Soon  it  became  apparent  that 
in  the  Convention  there  was  disagreement  on 
moral,  and  even  patriotic  questions.  We  believe 
that  no  single  paper  introduced  by  a  Wesleyan  on 
either  of  these  subjects,  passed  in  the  Convention 
without  encountering  opposition.  As  must  have 
been  the  case,  Conference  succeeding  Conference 
which  had  hitherto  favored  the  movement,  now 
withdrew  that  favor.  Some  individuals  still  felt 
themselves  bound  in  honor  and  in  conscience  to 
press  the  measure  to  consummation.  As  a  con- 
certed movement  it  is  now  abandoned.  This  move- 
ment was  for  a  union  of  all  the  non-Episcopal 
Methodist  bodies  in  this  Country. 

In  this  issue  of  our  paper  will  be  found  a  Call 
for  a  Conference  of  all  Wesley ans  in  favor  of 
uniting  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  We 
give  the  Call  insertion,  not  because  we  can  go  into 
such  Conference,  but  for  the  reason  that  we  regard 
religious -denominations  as  voluntary  associations, 
and  for  the  further  reasons,  that  however  regretful 
we  may  be,  yet  we  are  willing  that  all  those  whose 


REV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  149 

tastes  or  convictions  of  duty  would  lead  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal,  or  any  other  Church,  should 
conform  to  those  tastes  or  convictions. 

"  What  we  would  desire,  is  that  those  who  go 
out  from  us  do  it  quietly  and  peaceably.  There  is 
no  beauty  in,  nor  just  occasion  for  distracting  or 
mutilating.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
needs  neither  our  ministers  nor  members.  And  on 
the  other  hand,  we  would  have  no  one,  minister 
or  member,  leave  the  Connection  as  the  mere  re- 
sult of  panic.  '  Stand  still,  and  see  the  salvation 
of  the  Lord.'  There  is  no  necessity  for  haste. 
Do  nothing  now  which  may  lay  the  foundation  for 
future  fruitless  regrets.  Let  no  Church,  minister, 
or  private  member  leave,  merely  because  they  hear 
that  others  in  other  localities,  are  going  to  do  so. 
Such  rumors  may  or  may  not  be  true.  Let  every 
one  be  fully  persuaded  in  his  own  mind,  and  act 
out  his  highest  convictions  of  right.  And  let  no 
one  fear  to  do  right.  A  religious  denomination 
fully  devoted  to  the  edification  of  its  members  in 
all  the  Christian  graces,  and  in  the  salvation  of 
sinners,  may  duplicate  in  three  years.  '  Trust  in 
the  Lord,  do  good,  so  shalt  thou  dwell  in  the  land, 
and  verily  thou  shalt  be  fed.'  '  They  that  trust  in 
the  Lord  shall  be  as  Mount  Zion,  that  cannot  be 
moved.'     The  Lord  give  us  the   victory   of  Faith. 

"  In  these  days  we  are  ever  and  anon  reminded 
of  the  appalling  report  by  the  spies  sent  by  Israel 
to  spy  out  the  land  of  Canaan.  There  were  great, 
walled   cities.     There   were   giants   in   the  land. 


150  THE  LIFE   OF 

They  said  '  we  were  in  our  own  sight  as  grass- 
hoppers, and  so  we  were  like  grasshoppers  in 
their  sight ;  we  had  better  return  to  Egypt.'  Also 
are  we  reminded  of  the  mockings  of  Sanballat  and 
Tobiah — '  What  do  these  feeble  Jews?  will  they 
fortify  themselves  ?  will  they  sacrifice  ?  will  they 
make  an  end  in  a  day  ?  will  they  revive  the  stones 
out  of  the  heaps  of  rubbish  which  are  burned  V 
'That  which  they  build,  if  a  fox  go  up,  he  shall 
even  break  down  their  stone  wall.'  The  sequel  of 
both  of  these  cases  is  well  known  to  the  Biblical 
student.  But  we  confess  that  we  are  growing 
weary  of  hearing  our  own  funeral  sermon  repeated 
so  often.  The  good  folks  will  please  desist,  and 
neither  administer  upon  our  estate,  nor  any  part  of 
it ;  nor  yet  observe  our  funeral  rites  until  our  de- 
mise is  officially  announced. 

*  Men  and  women  of  God,  the  world  is  before 
us.  Souls  are  perishing  all  around  us.  In  many 
places  Zion  is  a  waste.  Life  is  but  brief.  Time 
is  swiftly  passing.  What  we  do  to  rescue  the 
perishing,  or  edify  the  Church,  which  is  the  body 
of  Christ,  must  be  done  quickly.  Then  l  rich  in 
faith,'  strong  in  purpose,  and  led  by  the  great  Cap- 
tain of  our  Salvation, 

'Indissolubly   joined, 
To  battle  all  proceed  : 
But  arm  yourselves  with  all  the  mind 
That  was  in  Christ,  your  Head.'" 

"  And  if,  in  the   providence  of  God,  our   forces 

are  in  the  future  to  be  united  with   other   cohorts, 


&EV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  151 

we  should  hold  ourselves  in  cheerful  readiness  for 
such  event  But  Providence  should  never  be  an- 
ticipated j  only  patiently  awaited." 

THE  RALLY  AND  RESTORATION  OF  CONFI- 
DENCE. 

The  people  rallied  bravely.  Expressions  of 
confidence  were  given.  Every  man  who  remained 
seemed  to  feel  he  had  something  to  do.  His 
labors  were  very  arduous,  having  all  the  editorial 
and  publishing  interests  to  care  for,  and  at  the 
same  time,  be  prepared  with  weapons  furnished  by 
faithful  brethren,  and  his  own,  to  meet  all  the 
attacks  made  by  those  who  had  said  we  must  dis- 
band ;  and  of  course  we  would  have  to  do  so,  if 
they,  by  any  possibility,  could  bring  it  to  pass. 
In  connection  with  all  the  rest  of  his  labors,  he 
served  the  Church  in  Syracuse  as  pastor,  one  year, 
and  at  the  same  time,  attended  regularly  a  tem- 
perance meeting,  held  on  Sabbath  afternoon,  in 
one  of  the  Halls  of  the  city.  This  last  organization 
being  in  its  infancy,  he  was  anxious  that  it  should 
be  a  success.  He  often  addressed  it,  and  served 
it  one  term  as  President.  He  continued  to  meet 
with  it  until  his  frequent  absences  from  the  city 
made  it  impossible  to  do  so  longer. 

He  seldom  rested  one  Sabbath,  for  his  calls  to 
the  Churches  became  more  numerous  than  he 
eould  respond  to.  Far  and  near  he  went  to  at- 
tend   Quarterly -meetings,    and    encourage    weak 


152  THE    LIFE  OF 

Churches  to  rally  to  the  work.  Of  course,  this1 
made  extra  work — requiring  very  much  night,  or 
early  morning  work.  He  would  not  write  even- 
ings, because  so  weary.  After  a  few  hours  sleep, 
he  would  awake  refreshed,  and  could  accomplish 
much  more  in  a  short  time.  Many  mornings  he 
has  arisen  at  one  o'clock  to  write,  or  prepare 
"  copy."  Indeed,  nearly  all  his  editorials  during 
these  years  of  conflict,  were  written  by  lamp-light,. 
in  early  morning.  The  matter  for  the  paper 
must  be  furnished  in  time — the  affairs  of  the  Office 
must  be  attended  to,  supplies  must  be  kept  on 
hand.  Thus  the  dollars  must  be  made  to  go  as 
far  as  possible.  Retrenchments  in  every  way  must 
be  made.  All  his  energies,  all  his  time  and  talents 
were  given  to  the  cause.  He  could  talk  of  noth- 
ing, think  of  nothing  beside,  and  the  burden  of  his 
prayers  was  for  direction  and  help  in  the  work 
before  him.  Memory  brings  to  mind  seasons  of 
earnest  pleadings  for  wisdom,  for  a  constant  guid- 
ance, for  he  did  not  want  to  go  forward  except  he 
heard  the  command  "  Go  forward,"  from  his 
leader,  God. 

During  one  of  the  sessions  of  the  Allegheny 
Conference,  the  way  seemed  blocked.  The  pow- 
ers of  darkness  for  a  time  appeared  to  prevail. 
He  felt  that  he  could  not  go  forward  unless  he 
had  some  token,  that  it  was  Lord's  will.  He 
spent  the  entire  night  in  prayer.  Alone,  nearly 
all  the  time  with  God,  like  one  of  old,  he  felt  he 
could  not  let  him  go  except  he  bless.     His  prayer 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS. 


153 


Was,  "  Oh  Lord  show  me  the  path  of  duty.      Give  me 
the  light  to  walk  in.     If  it  is  thy  will  that  »we,  as  a 
denomination,  should  disband,  make  it  plain  to   me  ; 
if  not,  open  the   way.     1  cannot  give  it   up —  I  must 
know  thy  will.      I  cannot— I  will  not   go  forward 
unless  thou  dost  direct    the    way."     All    night    was 
spent   on   his    knees    pleading.     Just  as  daylight 
appears  to  drive  away  nature's  darkness,  so  the 
"  light  of  God"  shone   around  him,  making   duty 
plain.     Almost   an  audible  voice    said    u  Go    for- 
ward ;  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee." 
From  that  time,  no  matter  what  the  opposition,  or 
how  great  the    obstacles,  he  felt  the  calm  assur- 
ance that    God  was   with  us,   and  "  who   can  be 
against  us."     He  walked  constantly  in  "  that  light," 
feeling  that  "  one  with  God,  is  a  majority."     He 
would  often   hear  of  unkind  letters  having  been 
written,   unkind   personal    remarks   having    been 
made,  but  I  never  knew  him  to   manifest  a  spirit 
of  retaliation.     He  almost  always  used  to  say  "  I 
am  so  sorry  for  them,  they  are  not  happy,  or  they 
would  not  say  such  things."     Many  times  he  used 
this  language  in  his  prayers,  "  0  Lord,  bless  our 
enemies,   if  we   have   any.     Touch   their    hearts, 
change  their  language  and  save  their  souls." 

One  who  left  the  Wesleyans  during  this  move- 
ment, said  to  him,  "  Now,  brother  Crooks,  you  are 
ambitious,  and  you  can  take  a  high  position  in 
other  Churches,  and  why  do  you  remain  with  those 

who  are  left.     They  are  poor,  illiterate  and  hum- 

7* 


154  THELTFEOF 

ble,  and  you  cannot  expect  eminence  if  you  remain 
with  them."  His  answer  was, — u  I  am  ambitious 
only  to  do  God's  will.  I  want  10  fill  the  place  he 
has  for  me ;  to  do  the  work  he  gives  me  to  do. 
God  will  take  care  of  me  and  my  reputation/' 

When  our  people  took  courage,  and  began  to 
build  churches,  he  was  sent  for,  far  and  near  to 
dedicate  them.  I  think  it  was  in  the  Winter  of 
1867,  he  went  to  Iowa.  It  was  extremely  cold. 
He  had  to  work  early  and  late,  to  be  able  to  leave 
the  Office.  He  was  gone  six  days,  of  which  he 
rode  five  days  and  nights.  He  took  his  luncheon 
along  to  save  expenses,  as  they  were  not  able  to 
do  more  than  barely  defray  his  expenses.  In 
1873  he  went  to  the  same  State,  was  gone  seven 
days,  and  rode  five  days  and  nights.  He  never 
spared  himself  if  he  thought  the  cause  of  God 
needed  his  labors.  If  expostulated  with,  he  would 
say,  "  It  is  labor  here  and  rest  hereafter."  There 
was  so  much  to  be  done — so  much  that  would 
have  to  go  undone,  if  he  did  not  step  forward  and 
do  it,  that  he  could  not  rest.  It  is  easy  to  stand 
and  look  on,  and  enjoin  care  of  self,  but  it  is  hard 
for  an  earnest  worker  to  see  the  cause  of  Christ 
suffer  for  the  want  of  efficient  laborers,  or  for  the 
want  of  means  to  pay  others  for  doing  the  worka 
Many,  very  many  times  he  stepped  forward  to  lift 
the  burdens  for  others,  when  he  ought  to  have  been 
relieved.  During  his  ten  years  and  over,  of  hard 
labor  at  the  Wesleyan  Office,  and  his  attention  to 
the  interests  of  the  Connection,  he  never  had  one 


R.EV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  155 

Week's  rest;  not  one  week  in  which  he  could  lay 
his  cares  aside  and  seek  repose.  When  the  pastors 
of  the  various  Churches  of  this  city  would  be  tak- 
ing their  Summer  vacations  among  green  fields  and 
pleasant  surroundings,  it  was  a  heavy  cross  for  me 
to  see  my  precious  one  toiling  on,  regardless  of 
heat  or  dust— weariness  of  body  or  mind— every 
day  using  all  his  strength.  Sometimes  it  seemed  to 
me  that  ail  the  change  for  him  was  added  care,  or 
a  little  more  work. 

At  the  General  Conference  held  in  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  in  the  fall  of  1867,  he  was  re-appointed 
Editor  and  Agent.  For  more  than  five  years 
he  had  the  entire  charge  of  the  Connectional  inter- 
ests. He  was  editor  of  two  papers ;  manager  of 
finances,  both  of  Publishing  Association  and  Mis- 
sionary Society.  He  also  carried  on  an  extensive 
correspondence  with  all  parts  of  the  work.  He 
was  ready  to  entertain  all  who  came,  and  had  a 
cheerful,  hopeful  word  for  every  one.  During 
these  years  he  often  had  ague  and  fever ;  also,  was 
subject  to  attacks  of  billious  colic,  when,  for  a  few 
hours,  he  was  a  terrible  sufferer.  He  did  not  take 
much  medicine;  for  rest  of  body  and  of  mind  was 
what  he  most  needed.  He  could  not  believe  that 
his  constitution  was  being  undermined ;  that  the 
seeds  of  disease  were  being  sown,  which  would 
destroy  his  strong,  healthy  body.  His  heart  and 
hands  were  so  full  of  "labors  more  abundant," 
that   he  did  not  take  time  to  realize  his   danger. 


156  THE  LIFE"  OF" 

When  sick,  his  greatest  anxiety   was  to  get  well 
for  fear  the  work  would  suffer. 

In  the  spring  of  1868  the  first  National  Anti- 
Secret  Convention  met  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.  He  wa& 
a  delegate,  and  in  1869,  a  State  Convention  of  the 
same  kind  was  held  in  Syracuse,  over  which  he 
presided.  I  give  the  resolutions  passed  by  the 
State  Convention  held  in  Rochester  a  few  days 
after  his  death;  also  a  few  of  his  reasons  why 
Christians  should  oppose  those  societies. 

PREAMBLE   AND   RESOLUTIONS. 

a  Whereas  : — In  the  midst  of  our  rejoicings  in  prosperi- 
ty, the  pall  of  an  inexpressible  sadness  has  been  recently 
spread  over  us,  in  the  event  of  the  death  of  Kev,  Adam 
Crooks,  one  of  the  most  able  and  efficient  members  of  our 
State  Association, --^And, 

"  Whereas  : — In  early  life  Brother  Crooks  identified 
himself  with  the  cause  of  reform,  and  with  heart,  and 
pen,  and  voice,  has  ever  stood  in  the  forefront  of  every 
great  moral  conflict,  battling  for  God  and  the  right ;  and 
he  attended  the  first  National  Convention  Opposed  to  Se-< 
eret  Societies,  held  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  and  was  elected 
one  of  the  officers  of  the  National  Association  then  and 
there  organized, — And, 

11  Whereas: — From  his  early  association  with  this 
work  of  reform,  and  the  great  abilities  and  devout  piety 
he  brought  to  the  work,  we  had  learned  to  look  to  him 
as  one  of  our  most  honored  and  trusted  leaders, — And, 

"Whereas  : — A  God  of  infinite  wisdom  and  unbound- 
ed goodness  has  called  our  dear  brother  from  the  conflicts 
of  earth  to  the  rest  of  heaven,  your  Committee  have  ap- 
pended the  following  resolutions — if  it  please  the  Conven- 
tion for  their  adoption  : — 

"  Besolved—  1.  That  in  the  death  of  Rev.  Adam  Crooks, 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  157 

from  his  great  force  of  personal  character,  his  superior 
abilities,  the  efficiency  of  his  pen,  we  feel  deeply,  as  a  Con- 
vention, oar  great  loss. 

"  Resolved — 2.  That  inspired  by  the  example  of  Brother 
Crooks,  and  others  who  have  fallen  at  their  posts,  we  will 
close  ranks,  lock  shields,  and  press  in  the  name  of  God  to 
victory. 

"Resolved — 3.  That  our  warmest  sympathies  are  tendered 
to  the  widow  of  Brother  Crooks,  and  all  afflicted  in  the 
death  of  members  of  this  association  during  the  year  last 
past ;  and  we  do  most  earnestly  pray  that  Divine  grace 
may  prove  their  sufficient  support  and  consolation. 
'•  All  of  which  is  most  respectfully  submitted. 

N.  Wardner,  CWn  Com. 

D.  Kirkpatrick,  Pres. 

Edwin  Barnetson,  Serfy." 

EXTRACT  FROM  SUPPLEMENT  TO  "  AN  INQUI- 
RY INTO  FREEMASONRY  AND  ODDFEL- 
LOWSHIP." 

"The  Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection  of  America 
does  antagonize  those  fraternities.  In  all  kind- 
ness, yet  with  much  plainness,  the  following  pages 
set  forth  some  of  the  prominent  reasons  for  such 
attitude.  We  write  with  the  single  object  of 
serving  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom.  Read 
and  ponder  with  the  candor  of   Christian  honesty. 

"  I.  In  its  pretensions  to  great  antiquity  as  also 
in  the  history  of  its  degrees,  Masonry  evidences  a 
criminal  disregard  for  truth.  Instance  a  few  ex- 
amples ;  and  only  a  few.  As  every  person  intel- 
ligent upon  the  subject  knows,  Masonry  professes 
to  date  back  to  the  days  of  Adam  and  Enoch,  and 
narrates    how  by  the  agency  of    the    latter    its 


158  THE  LIFE  OF 

1  precious  jewels'  were  preserved  through  the 
flood.— That  it  has  its  A.  L.— Year  of  Light,  dat- 
ing back  5874  years, — That  it  teaches  that  Solo* 
mon  and  cotemporaries,  Hiram  Abiff,  the  widow's 
son,  and  Hiram,  King  of  Tyre,  were  three  Grand 
Master  Masons, — That  Hiram  Abiff  was  cruelly 
murdered  by  three  Felloe  Crafts,  Jubela,  Jubelo, 
Jubelum,  for  firmly  refusing  to  give  them  the  Mas- 
ter's word,  and  for  which  they  respectively  suffered 
the  dreadful  penalties  of  the  first  three  degrees  of 
Masonry, — That  anciently  the  Word  of  God  was 
preserved  from  being  lost  through  Masonry, — -That 
the  omission  of  the  name  of  Jesus  in  the  Blue 
Lodge  prayers  is  owing  to  the  fact  that  Masonry  is 
more  ancient  than  Christianity,— That  the  two 
Saints,  John  the  Baptist  and  John  the  Evangelist 
were  patrons  ol  Masonry,-— and  very  much  more  of 
like  character. 

u  Speaking  in  unvarnished  terminology,  the  Editor 
of  the  American  Freemason,  a  Monthly,  published  in 
the  interest  of  the  Fraternity,  said  of  the  story  of 
the  murder  of  Hiram  Abiff,  parroted  as  history  in 
the  lodges  every  week,  that  its  '  every  sentence  is 
a  lie.'  And  as  every  scholar  knows,  Jubela,  Jube. 
lo,  Jubelum,  who  according  to  Masonic  lore  murder- 
ed Hiram  Abiff,  are  not  Tyrean  but  Latin  names, 
and  that  the  Latin  language  did  not  have  existence 
till  some  three  hundred  years  after  Solomon  and 
the  two  Hirams ;  and  that  therefore  the  story  is  not 
only  false,  but  ridiculous.  But  in  the  presence  of 
such  boastful  pretensions  to  antiquity,  what  are  we 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  159 

to  think  of  the  following  confessions  to  the  recent 
nativity  of  Masonry  ?  Steinbrenner,  an  able  Ma- 
sonic historian,  admits  that  Speculative  Freema- 
sonry dates  no  further  back  than  1717 — less  than 
160  years.  Now  what  becomes  of  the  stories 
about  Enoch,  and  Solomon,  and  Hiram  Abiff,  and 
Jubela,  Jubelo,  Jubelum,  and  the  preserving  the 
Word  of  God  from  being  lost,  and  of  the  omission 
of  the  name  of  Jesus  because  of  the  superior  an- 
tiquity of  Masonry,  and  of  the  two  Saints  John,  and 
of  its  '  Year  of  Light  ?'  But  Dr,  Dalco,  compiler 
of  the  book  of  Constitutions  for  the  State  of  South 
Carolina,  meets  these  pretentious  claims  with  a 
direct  contradiction.  He  says,  'Neither  Adam, 
nor  Noah,  nor  Nimrod,  nor  Moses,  nor  Joshua,  nor 
David,  nor  Solomon,  nor  Hiram,  nor  St.  John  the 
Baptist,  nor  St,  John  the  Evangelist,  were  Free- 
masons. Hypothesis  in  history  is  absurd.  There 
is  no  record,  sacred  or  profane,  to  induce  us  to  be- 
lieve that  those  holy  men  were  Freemasons  j  and 
our  traditions  do  not  go  back  to  those  days. 
To  assert  that  they  were  Freemasons  may  make  the  vul. 
gar  stare,  but  will  rather  excite  the  contempt  than  the 
admiration  of  the  wise.'' 

"II,  Profanity  is  specifically  forbidden  in  the 
Word  of  God.  '  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of 
the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain ;  for  the  Lord  will  not 
hold  him  guiltless  who  taketh  his  name  'in  vain.' 
Ex.  xx :  7.  Jesus  is  very  specific  and  minute. 
'But  I  say  unto  you,  Swear  not  at  all,  neither  by 
heaven,  for  it  is  God's  throne ;  nor   by  the    earth, 


160  THE  LIFE  OP 

for  it  is  his  footstool ;  neither  by  Jerusalem,  for  it 
is  the  city  of  the  Great  King ;  neither  shalt  thou 
swear  by  thy  head ;  because  thou  canst  not  make 
one  hair  white  or  black.  But  let  your  communica- 
tion be  Yea,  yea;  Nay,  nay;  for  whatsoever  is 
more  than  these,  cometh  of  evil.'  Matt,  v :  34,  35, 
36.  And  St.  James  emphasizes  this  prohibition  in 
the  words  following :  l  But  above  all  things,  my 
brethren,  swear  not;  neither  by  heaven;  neither 
by  the  earth ;  neither  by  any  other  oath"  Jas.  v : 
12.  The  duty  of  the  Church  to  prohibit  profanity 
no  person  of  common  intelligence  can  doubt.  But 
Freemasonry  is  built  upon  swearing.  Every  dis- 
tinct obligation  in  every  degree  is  taken  by  swear- 
ing. In  the  first  seven  degrees  there  are  over 
half  a  hundred  distinct  oaths.  And  this  terrible 
swearing  is  going  on  throughout  the  Country  in  all 
the  Lodges,  every  week  !  Every  person  must  know, 
upon  a  moment's  reflection,  what  must  be  the  in- 
fluence of  such  familiar  use  of  the  name  of  Deity. 
With  so  much  swearing  in  the  Lodges,  no  marvel 
that  the  earth  almost  groans  beneath  abounding 
profanity.  Hence,  in-so-far  as  it  is  the  duty  of 
the  Church  to  prohibit  profanity,  it  is  her  duty  to 
protest  and  oppose  Freemasonry ;  seeing  that  eYery 
stone  in  this  superstructure,  from  foundation  to 
cap-stone,  is  laid  in  profanity — swearing  authorized, 
by  no  law," either  human  or  divine. 

"III.  The  obligations  of  Freemasonry  are  taken 
in  ignorance,  and  under  circumstances  which  pre- 
clude the  possibility   of  the  due  consideration  of 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  161 

their  character.  Still  further :  The  higher  degrees 
rest  upon  and  are  supported  by  the  lower ;  and  the 
members  of  the  lower  degrees  are  assumed  to  be 
in  utter  ignorance  of  the  obligations  of  the  higher. 
Thus,  by  the  very  organic  structure  of  the  institu- 
tion, the  members  of  the  lower  degrees  are  sup- 
porting under  oath  and  death-penalty,  they  know  not 
what.  That  the  Church  cannot  innocently  tolerate 
such  reckless  disregard  of  the  sacred  obligations  of 
morality  and  the  valued  interests  of  mankind,  is 
self-manifest. 

"  IY.  But  not  only  are  the  obligations  of  Free- 
masonry assumed  and  supported  in  ignorance,  but 
some  of  these  obligations  are  essentially  criminal. 
We  instance  the  obligation  to  keep  the  secret  of  a 
brother  Master  Mason,  communicated  as  such,  as 
inviolable  as  in  his  own  breast,  murder  and  treason 
only  excepted;  and  in  the  Royal  Arch  degree, 
'  murder  and  treason  not  excepted,' — that  to  flee 
to  the  relief  of  a  brother  Master  Mason  giving  the 
sign  of  distress,  at  the  risk  of  life ;  and  this  wholly 
irrespective  of  what  may  be  the  occasion  of  his 
distress — and.  that  to  espouse  the  cause  of  a  com- 
panion Royal  Arch  Mason  engaged  in  any  difficul- 
ty, so  far  as  may  be  necessary  to  rescue  him  there- 
from, whether  he  be  right  or  wrong.  [See  Morgan's 
Expose  of  Freemasonry,  pp.  74,  75  ;  Light  on  Ma- 
sonry, pp.  74,  75;  Finney's  Letters,  pp.  90,  91. 
Also  xiii  Wendell,  pp.  9 — 26.]  Palpably,  such 
obligations  are  alike  incompatible  with  the  duties 
of  the  citizen  and  the  Christian,  obstructive  of  the 


162  THE  LIFE  OF 

just  administration  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical  law; 
and  therefore  essentially  subversive  of  both  Church 
and  State.  Civil  Government  is  as  really  ordained 
of  God  as  is  the  marriage  relation ;  and  hence,  it 
is  as  much  the  dnty  of  the  Church  to  maintain  the 
former  as  the  latter.  Therefore,  by  all  that  binds 
the  Church  to  maintain  its  own  purity  and  life,  as 
also  the  integrity  of  the  State,  it  is  bound  to  an- 
tagonize Freemasonry. 

"  V.  Everywhere  the  Scriptures  teach  to  hold  in 
sacred  regard,  human  life.  But  everywhere  Masonry 
pawns  the  lives  of  its  votaries.  We  enumerate 
some  of  its  horrid  penalties. — The  throat  cut 
across — -the  tongue  torn  out  by  the  roots — the  left 
breast  torn  open  and  the  heart  and  vitals'  taken 
thence — the  body  severed  in  the  midst  and  the 
bowels  burned  to  ashes — tongue  split  from  tip  to 
root — the  skull  smote  off,  &c,  &c.  No  reflecting 
mind  can  fail  to  see  how  essentially  anti-Christian 
and  barbarous  are  such  penalties ;  nor  yet  how 
barbarizing  the  influence  of  making  the  mind  fa- 
miliar with  such  monstrous  mutilations.  What 
kind  of  imprecations  are  these  for  civilized  men ; 
saying  nothing  of  Christians  and  Christian  minis- 
ters ?  Thus  while  Christianity  enjoins  love,  bless- 
ing, and  forgiveness  of  enemies,  Freemasonry 
binds  to  vengeance  and  murder  1 

"  VI.  But  this  thought  gathers  additional  empha- 
sis from  the  well-authenticated  facts  of  history  that 
Secret  Societies  have  been  the  foster-nests  of  Jacob- 
inism, Communism,  Political  Revolution  and  every 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  163 

form  of  Skepticism.  Read  Barruel's  four  volumes, 
and  Robinson's  Evidences  of  Conspiracy  against 
both  Civil  Government  and  the  Christian  Religion. 
Hence,  naturally  enough,  Voltaire,  D'Alambert,  Did- 
erot, Condorcet,  Robespierre  and  fellow  conspira- 
tors, called  into  requisition  secrecy,  for  the  effectu- 
ation of  their  diabolical  purposes.  Even  Commun- 
ism is  but  Freemasonry  gone  to  seed.  For,  from 
the  Masonic  position  of  a  belief  in  some  God,  but 
utter  indifference  as  to  which,  there  is  but  a  single  step 
to  the  position  of  no  God.  Hence,  to  an  extent 
which  the  masses  but  little  suspect,  Freemasonry 
and  free  thinking  (Skepticism)  are  confederates. 
And  this  connection  is  both  philosophic  and  historic. 
Hence,  too,  Communists  are  Atheists  of  the  coars- 
est type.  Only  think  ! — in  his  great  work  on  Mod- 
ern Doubt  and  Christian  Belief,  page  30,  Christ- 
lieb  makes  note  of  a  Secret  Society  in  a  Prussian 
gymnasium,  consisting  of  boys  between  thirteen 
and  fifteen  years  of  age,  the  very  first  paragraph 
of  its  rules  commencing  with — '  Any  one  believing 
in  a  God  is  thereby  excluded  from  this  society.' 
Thus,  boys  in  their  first  teens  are  committed  to 
the  dogma,  fatal  as  it  is  senseless,  of  '  no  God !' 
But  none  can  doubt  that  this  society  is  modeled 
after  one  whose  initiates  are  '  boys  of  larger 
growth.'  Hence,  as  the  divinely  appointed  con- 
servator of  all  interests  sacred  to  either  God  or 
humanity,  it  is  the  high  duty  of  the  Christian 
Church  to  antagonize  such  fraternities . 

"  VII.     Again :  As  Secret  Societies  are  organized 


1    4  THE  LIFE  OP 

favoritism,  which  ever  <and  anon  pushes  justice 
from  her  throne ;  puts  one  up,  and  another  down 
not  because  of  personal  merit,  but  the.  senseless^ 
figments  of  grips,  signs  and  pass-words  5  thus  un- 
settling the  eternal  sub-basis  of  the  whole  social 
fabric — community,  Church  and  State;  and,  as 
the  God-appointed  work  of  the  Church  is  to  '  es- 
tablish judgment  in  the  earth,'  in  the  very  nature 
of  the  case,  her  divine  mission  cannot  be  accom- 
plished without  the  overthrow  of  these  societies. 
This  single  fact  makes  her  duty  plain. 

"  VIII.  The  Bible  teaches  everywhere  the  insep- 
arableness  of  purity  and  acceptable  worship.  If  we 
regard  iniquity  in  our  heart,  the  Lord  will  not 
hear  us,  '  Holiness  becometh  thine  house,  0  Lord, 
forever.'  '  Worship  the  Lord  in  the  beauty  of 
holiness.'  'He  that  turneth  away  his  ear  from 
hearing  the  law, — even  his  prayer  shall  be  abomi- 
nation.' But  aside  from  its  caricature  of  the  Bi- 
ble narrative  of  Moses  and  the  burning  bush,  where 
puny  man  is  heard  saying,  '  I  am  that  I  am,'  as  in 
the  Royal  Arch  degree ;  aside  from  their  mixing 
repeated  falsehood  with  the  exclamation — '  Holi- 
ness unto  the  Lord !'  as  in  the  pretended  finding 
of  the  Ark  of  the  Lord  containing  the  Law,  the 
manna  and  the  rod  that  budded  ;  from  the  admix- 
ture of  prayer  and  unmanly  mummery ;  and  aside 
from  the  mimic  performances  of  the  visions  of  the 
Revel ator,  as  in  Rev.  v,  vi,  and  vii :  in  which  four 
old  men  with  inflated  bladders,  represent  the  four 
angels  of  God,  having  in  command  the  four  winds 


165 

of  heaven,  and  worthy  Masons  in  white  robes, 
coming  up  to  the  throne,  '  having  washed  their 
robes  in  their  own  blood !' — Aside  from  all  these 
performances,  revolting  to  every  sentiment  of  rev- 
erence, these  secret  orders  divorce,  in  the  sanctu- 
ary of  the  soul,  the  divinely  united  ideas  of  purity 
and  worship,  by  frequently  appointing  lips  notori- 
ously profane  to  parrot  prayers  into  the  ears  of 
Jehovah;  thus  perverting  the  heart  and  mind  in 
their  deepest  fountains — obliterating  all  just  con- 
ceptions of  acceptable  worship.  This  single  fact 
might  well  cause  holy  angels  to  weep,  and  suffi- 
ciently defines  the  duty  of  the  Christian  Church. 

"  IX.  By  all  its  multitudinous  oaths,  frightful 
death-penalties,  and  tormenting  dread  of  the  vari- 
ous vengeance  of  the  Craft,  Freemasonry  seeks  to 
bind  the  soul  for  life,  in  the  holy  sanctuary  of  its 
convictions  of  right.  It  may  be  filled  and  thrilled 
with  horror  in  view  of  its  obligations  and  associa- 
tions, and  yet  find  itself  fastened  to  f  this  body  of 
death'  by  cords  of  more  than  steel.  This  lament- 
able truth  addresses  itself  not  only  to  the  con- 
science of  every  Christian,  but  also  to  the  heart  of 
every  true  American.  The  true  Church  every- 
where cries  out — l  Loose  the  human  conscience, 
and  let  it  go  free.' 

"  X.  While  seeming  to  reverence  the  Bible,  as 
containing  the  revealed  will  of  G-od,  Freemasonry 
in  reality  degrades  it  to  a  level  with  the 
Veda,  the  Shaster,  the  Koran,  the  Zen  Davesta, 
and  the  sacred  books  of  all  nations.     In  this  re- 


166  THE  LIFE  OF 

gard,  no  distinction  is  made  between  the  true  and 
the  false,  the  clean  and  the  unclean.  With  this  in- 
stitution, all  are  of  like  authority ;  or  rather  want 
of  authority,  as  having  the  Divine  sanction.  Proof: 
- — Chase's  Digest  of  Masonic  Law,  page  207:  '  In 
fact,  Blue  Lodge  Masonry  has  nothing  whatever  to 
do  with  the  Bible.'  Of  course  he  means,  as  of  di- 
vine authority.  In  Masonic  Jurisprudence,  Mackey 
laj  s  it  down  as  a  fundamental  Landmark  in  Masonry, 
that  a  l  Book  of  the  Law'  shall  constitute  an  indis- 
pensable part  of  the  furniture  of  every  Lodge.' — 
That  is,  '  that  volume  which,  by  the  religion  of  the 
country  is  believed  to  contain  the  revealed  will  of 
the  Grand  Architect  of  the  universe.' — Pages  33? 
34.  Mark — believed  '  by  the  religion  of  the 
country' — not  by  the  Masons.  To  tamely  acquiesce 
in  this  degradation  of  God's  Holy  Word  to  the 
level  of  the  Hindoo  Shaster,  the  Zen  Davesta  of 
the  worshipers  of  fire,  and  the  oracles  of  all  the 
false  religions  would  outrage  even  manly  honor,  to 
say  nothing  of  Christian  consistency. 

u  XL  The  religion  of  Freemasonry  is  a  rival  to 
Christ's  religion.  That  it  intrudes  upon  the  do- 
main of  Religion  is  manifest  from  its  creed,  altar, 
prayer,  priesthood,  &c.  Chalmers  I.  Paton,  an 
English  Masonic  writer  says :  '  It  needs  little 
proof  to  show  that  Freemasonry  is  essentially  and 
thoroughly  of  a  religious  nature.'  '  Religion  is 
inwrought  into  the  whole  system  of  Masonic  cere- 
monies.'  Again: — *  It  everywhere  exhibits  the 
same    religious    nature.'      [See   his    work   on    its 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  167 

i  Symbolism,  Religions  Nature  and  Law  of  Per- 
fection,' page  447,  and  first  paragraph  in  Preface.] 
Rev.  Geo.  Oliver,  Lieutenant  Grand  Commander 
of  the  Supreme  Grand  Council  of  the  Thirty-third 
Degree  for  England  and  Wales,  says — '  Freema- 
sonry was  revealed  by  God  himself  to  the  first 
man.'  '  Masonry,  in  the  first  ages  of  the  world, 
was  therefore  a  pure  religion.'  l  The  Order  of 
the  Royal  Arch  is  founded  exclusively  on  religion.' 
Star  in  the  East,  pages  2  and  8.  Now,  if  a  reli- 
gion at  all,  it  must  be  a  rival  religion — (1)  By 
claiming  time,  attention,  money,  devotion.  (2)  By, 
in  some  sense,  ministering  to  man's  religious  na- 
ture and  thus  tending  to  satisfy  it.  (3)  By 
claiming  to  do  for  man  all  that  Christ  proposes — 
found  a  universal  brotherhood — establish  univers- 
al peace— regenerate — free  from  sin — insure  a 
passport  from  the  Lodge  below  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  above.  We  have  room  for  but  a  few 
quotations.  Mackey  in  his  Lexicon  of Freemasonry, 
page  16,  says  thus:  i  Acacian — A  term  derived 
from  ajiauia,  '  innocence,'  signifies  a  Mason,  who, 
by  living  in  strict  obedience  to  the  obligations  and 
precepts  of  the  fraternity,  is  free  from  sin.'  In  a 
recent  work  by  L.  E.  Reynolds,  P.  M.7  and  P.  H.  P., 
and  recommended  by  the  Masonic  Trowel  of  June 
15,  1870,  as  'void  of  ostentation,  candid  in  state- 
ment, and  worthy  the  study  of  every  Mas.on  who 
desires  to  take  a  comprehensive  and  philosophical 
view  of  great  principles,  and  all  students  and  rea- 
soners  will  be  delighted  with  its  unfoldings  and 


168  THE  LIFE  OF 

processes,'  we  find  the  following  remarkable  avow- 
als  :  '  Masonry  does  not  deal  with  the  perversions 
of  things,  but  is  only  illustrative  of  the  regenerate 
man.'  '  A  Lodge  in  general  signifies  heaven,  or 
the  dwelling-place  of  the  Lord,  and  includes  all  on 
earth  who  are  being  prepared  for  heaven.'  'Each 
man  who  is  about  to  be  regenerated,  is  led  by  his 
guardian  angel  to  the  door  of  the  Lodge,  of  which 
it  is  said,  '  Seek  and  ye  shall  find ;  knock  and  it 
shall  be  opened,'  '  Regeneration  or  Masonry 
proceeds  in  progressive  order  or  states'  (degrees.) 
'  Man  cannot  work  or  correct  the  irregularities  of 
life,  until  he  is  clothed  with  innocence  or  the  badge 
of  a  Mason.'  He  then  becomes  a  divine,  spirit- 
ual man  or  Master  Mason.'  pp.  101,  237,  188, 
219,  214, 131.  Now,  is  not  this  very  candid,  and 
unostentatious,  and  philosophical  ?  And  in  his  '  Sys- 
tem of  Speculative  Masonry,'  page  79,  Salem  Town 
says :  l  Then  (in  die  fourth  degree)  the  Freemason 
is  assured  of  his  election  and  final  salvation.1  But 
(4)  It  claims  superior  merit.  Steinbrenner,  in 
Origin  of  Masonry,  pages  13,  14,  styles  it  '  that 
higher  religion,  which  indeed  embraces  the  lower 
religion  of  creeds  and  sects ;'  and  in  the  category 
of  sects,  it  places  the  Christian  religion.  And  Re- 
bold,  in  the  History  of  Freemasonry,  decries  the 
Christian,  Jewish,  Mohammedan,  and  all  other  reli- 
gions, and  extols  Masonry  as  destined  to  supplant 
them  ail,  and  become  the  '  Universal  Religion.' 
And  finally :  As  a  matter  of  positive  experience,  in 
both  Germany  and  France,  the  Lodge  is  largely 


&EV.  ADAM  CROOKS,  169 

•supplanting  the  Churchy  especially  in  the  larger 
towns  and  cities.  Thus;  just  as  the  Lodge  goes 
up  the  Church  goes  down.  And  John  D.  Caldwell, 
4  Grand  Secretary'  of  '  Select  Masters'  in  Ohio, 
frankly  avowed  that  in  this  Country  also,  Mason- 
ry is  '  Disintegrating  the  Church.'  Shall  the 
Church  of  Christ  tolerate,  caress,  and  warm  into 
life  this  destructive  rival  ?  Shall  its  life-blood  con- 
tinue to  be  drained  thus,  as  by  a  vampire  ?  Shall 
it  commit  suicide  by  default,  and  basely  and  unre- 
sistingly deliver  to  its  enemies  '  the  last  hope  of 
humanity  ?'  May  a  merciful  Grod  avert  such  dire 
calamity!  Surely  all  true  Christians  must  say, 
Amen. 

"  XII.  Being  a  rival  to  Christ's  religion,  it  is  a 
false  religion,  and  lures  to  ruin. 

n/  o 

"  1.  Its  claims  to  establish  a  Universal  Brother- 
hood are  false.  (1)  In  its  very  nature  it  is  re- 
stricted to  the  few.  Excluding  all  women  and 
children,  all  cripples,  and  all  the  aged  and  indi- 
gent, it  cannot  be  universal.  (2)  The  basis  is 
false — seeking  to  unite  moral  repellents — licrht 
and  darkness,  Christ  and  Belial.  Where  is  the 
wisdom  of  attempting  such  impossibility?  (3) 
The  basis  is  wrong,  if  even  possible.  To  treat  the 
true  and  false,  the  good  and  the  bad  all  alike  is 
shockingly  horrible ;  yet  this  is  the  Masonic  mode 
of  treating  all  religions. 

"2.  Its  boastful  claims  of  being  cosmopolitan 
and  of  mutual  toleration  of  all  religions  is  also 


170  THE  LIFE  OF 

false.  The  Christian  law  requires  prayer  only  in 
the  name  of  Jesus.- — 'No  man  cometh  unto  the 
Father  but  by  me.'  To  such  prayer  in  the  Lodges 
the  Jew,  Infidel,  Parsee,  &c,  object.  Mutual  con- 
cession would  plainly  say — '  Let  the  Christian  pray 
in  the  name  of  Jesus,  when  he  leads,  and  the  Jew, 
&c,  without  it.'— A  concession ,  by  the  way,  Christ- 
ians have  no  right  to  make.  But  does  Masonry  do 
this  ?  By  no  means,  The  conscience  of  the  Jew, 
Infidel,  Parsee,  &c,  must  be  held  sacred,  but  the 
law  and  conscience  of  the  Christian  must  go  into 
the  dust,  Thus  does  Masonry,  down  to  the  sev- 
enth degree,  discriminate  against  our  only  Lord 
and  Savior,  and  in  favor  of  his  enemies. 

".3.  Its  professions  to  save,  are  also  false.  As  seen 
above,  it  professes  to  'free  from  sin,'  regenerate, 
make  a  man  divine,  and  insure  l final  salvation. 
But  there  is  'no  other  name  under  heaven  given 
among  men,  whereby  we  must  be  saved'  but  that 
of  Jesus.  Acts,  iv :  12.  This  name  the  religion  of 
Masonry  rejects. 

"  This  conducts  to  the  final  proposition,  viz  :  Free- 
masonry is  essentially  anti-  Christ.  Christianity  pro- 
poses to  bring  man  back  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ  as 
the  only  way.  'There  is  one  God,  and  one  Media- 
tor between  God  and  men,  the  man  Christ  Jesus.' 
1  Tim.  ii:  5.  'There  is  no  other  name  under 
heaven  given  among  men,  whereby  we  must  be 
saved.'  Acts,  iv:  12.  'No  man  cometh  unto  the 
Father  but  by  me.'  John,  xiv :  7.  '  Whatsoever 
ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  171 

Lord  Jesus/  Col.  iii :  17  'That  at  the  name  of 
Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  things  in  heaven, 
and  things  in  earth,  and  things  under  the  earth ; 
and  that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father.' 
Phil,  ii:  10,  11.  '  He  is  anti- Christ  that  denieth 
the  Father  and  the  Son.  Whosoever  denieth  the  Son, 
the  same  hath  not  the  Father.'  1  John,  ii :  22,  23. 
'  There  shall  be  no  false  teachers  among  you,  who 
privily  ('stealthily  and  unobserved')  shall  bring 
in  damnable  heresies,  even  denying  the  Lord  that 
bought  them,  and  bring  upon  themselves  swift  de- 
struction.' 2  Pet.  ii :  1.  'But  he  that  denieth  me 
before  men,  shall  be  denied  before  the  angels  of 
God.' — Luke,  xii:  9.  In  the  face  of  all  these  pas- 
sages of  the  Inspired  Word,  and  others  which 
might  be  quoted,  Freemasonry  sets  up  a  religion 
professing  to  save  men ;  but  denies  Jesus — disal- 
lowing the  use  of  his  name  even  in  its  approaches 
to  God ;  and  thus  assails  Christianity  in  its  divine 
Centre.  Indeed,  in  the  seventh  degree,  it  does  not 
hesi:ate  to  cut  his  name  from  passages  of  his  Holy 
Word  which  it  professes  to  quote.  [See  Sickles' 
Freemasons'  Monitor,  pp.  50,  51.]  True,  prayer 
is  sometimes  offered  in  the  Lodges  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  but  only  by  sufferance,  and  in  violation  of  the 
promise  to  'cheerfully  conform  to  all  the  ancient 
established  usages  and  customs  of  the  fraternity.' 
"Now,  unless  Christianity  is  a  farce  and  a  cheat, 
to  ignore  Jesus  Christ  in  our  approaches  to  God 
in  prayer,  is  no  less  an  abomination  than  are  bold 


172  THE  LIFE  OF 

blasphemy  and  idolatry ;  and  Freemasonry  is  de- 
fined and  proven  to  be  both  'a  deceiver  and  an  an- 
ti-Christ1 But  in  the  degree  of  Knights  Adepts 
of  the  Eagle  or  Sun,— The  Key  of  Masonry— the 
fraternity  speaks  for  itself.  Hear  its  words.  'Be- 
hold, my  dear  brother,  what  you  must  fight  against 
and  destroy,  before  you  can  come  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  true  good  and  sovereign  happiness!1  Well, 
what  is  it  ?  Harken  !  '  Behold  this  monster,  which 
you  must  conquer— &  serpent  which  ive  detest  as  an 
idol  that  is  adored  by  the  idiot  and  vulgar  under  the 
name  of  RELIGION!!!'  (Revealed  religion  is 
meant.)     '  Light  on  Masonry,'  pp,  270,  271. 

"  There  you  have  it  in  a  nutshell,  in  their  own 
words  !  Is  it  any  marvel  that  the  Lodge  '  disinte- 
grates the  Church  ?'  Is  not  this  sufficiently  anti- 
Christ  ? 

"  And  it  is  but  due  to  state  that  Odd  Fellowship 
also  excludes  the  name  of  Jesus  from  its  authorized 
formulas  of  prayer.  The  same,  we  believe,  is  true 
of  some  of  the  Good  Templar  and  Granger  prayers. 
All  these  things  being  true,  it  follows  with  the  force 
of  irresistible  sequence  : — 

"  1.  That  whatever  there  may  be  in  Freemasonry 
and  kindred  institutions  that  is  commendable,  it 
cannot  compensate  for  their  demerits  and  essentially 
anti-  Christian  character, 

"  2  That  it  is  the  sacred  duty  of  all  who  are  not 
entangled  in  the  meshes  of  Masonry  and  kindred 
Christ-rcjectiug  institutions  to  keep  themselves  for- 
ever free  therefrom. 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  173 

"  3.  That  it  is  the  sacred  duty  of  all,  especially 
of  every  patriot,  Christian  and  Christian  minister 
thus  entangled,  to  immediately  and  forever  terminate 
his  connection  therewith. 

"  That  it  is  duty  to  repent  of  and  not  perform  a 
wicked  oath  is  palpable.  Instance  the  oath  of 
Herod  to  Herodias'  dancing  daughter,  resulting  in 
the  cruel  murder  of  John  the  Baptist, — that  of  the 
forty  men  to  kill  Paul ;  and  that  of  David  to  slay 
Nabal,  and  all  the  strength  of  his  house.  1  Sam. 
xxv :  22. — See  also,  Lev.  v:  4,  5. 

"  4.  That  as  Christianity  is  not  only  negative,  but 
radically  positive,  it  is  the  most  sacred  duty  of 
every  Christian,  Christian  minister  and  Church,  to 
in  every  legitimate  way,  both  by  teaching  and  dis- 
cipline, testify  against  and  antagonize  a  religion 
which  is  at  once  without  equity  and  without  a 
Christ. 

"  5.  That  it  is  the  plainly  enjoined  duty  of  every 
true  Christian,  whether  minister  or  layman,  to 
withdraw  fellowship  from  all  religious  denomina- 
tions which  persistently  refuse  to  thus  testify 
against  monstrous  sin. — The  Apostle,  in  a  manner 
the  most  solemn,  says :  '  Now  we  command  you, 
brethren,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
that  ye  withdraw  yourselves  from  every  brother  that 
walketh  disorderly.'  2  Thes.  iii :  6.  Again :  'And 
I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying,  Come  out  of 
her,  my  people,  that  ye  be  not  partakers  of  her 
sins,  and  that  ye  receive  not  her  plagues.'  Rev. 
xviii :  4.     Thus  it  is  clear  that  to  remain  in  fellow- 


174  THE  LIFE  OF 

ship  with  religious  bodies  which  tolerate  great  and 
crying  sins,  is  to  become  partaker  of  such  sins — is 
to  virtually  endorse  them  as  not  sins. 

"  The  power  we  oppose  is  mighty.  The  princes 
and  peoples  of  all  provinces  fall  before  it,  as  be- 
fore the  image  of  gold  upon  the  plains  of  Dura. 
The  populace  have  learned  to  list  with  silent  awe 
and  bated  breath  to  its  thundering  laudations.  It 
has  superinduced  its  potent  influence  upon  tongue, 
and  type,  and  pulpit,  and  press,  and  platform,  and 
colleges,  and  courts,  and  Congresses — every  forma- 
tive force  in  society — and  thus  well-nigh  bound 
both  Church  and  State  as  with  fetters  of  iron. 
There  is  no  moment  to  be  lost  in  taking  cowardly 
counsel  of  unmanly  fears.  If  this  foe  is  mighty, 
truth  is  almighty.  Enough  to  know  that  our  cause 
is  just  j  and  that  immortal  interests  are  involved, 
If  we  can  innocently  ignore  Christ  in  prayer  once, 
we  can  always.  And  there  is  no  neutral  ground. 
We  must  take  sides.  To  surrender  Christ,  is  vir- 
tually to  surrender  Christianity.  In  the  name  of  all 
that  is  sacred  in  human  destiny,  these  pages  plead 
against  a  surrender  so  costly.  With  such  a  cause, 
shall  we  plead  in  vain  ?  Ministers  of  the  gospel, 
with  the  vows  of  God  upon  your  souls,  what  do 
you  say  ?  Reader :  the  one  question  for  you  to  set- 
tle is — Will  you  at  any  cost  be  loyal  to  Jesus 
Christ  ?  He  is  appointed  our  final  Judge.  If  we 
deny  Him,  He  will  deny  us.  The  verdicts  of 
Time  are  of  little  account.  Be  sure  that  your  an- 
swer is  such  as  the  decisions  of  Eternity  will  appro- 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  175 

bate.  Heaven,  in  mercy,  impart  the  grace  needed 
to  fearlessly,  and  by  all  legitimate  means,  antago- 
nize banded  treason  against  the  purity  of  the 
Church,  integrity  of  the  State,  and  the  world's  only 
Savior."     , 

In  June  1870,  he  wrote  as  follows: — 

DUTY  RESPECTING  THE  TEMPERANCE  MOVE- 
MENT. 

"  Now  that  the  Heaven-insulting  and  Man- 
victimizing  crime  of  chattel  slavery  has  been 
abolished  in  this  Country,  the  patriot,  philanthro- 
pist and  Christian  can  bestow  more  exclusive 
attention  upon  the  soul-and-body-destroying  evil 
of  the  rum-traffic.  Human  duty  is  one  of  the 
greatest  thoughts  that  cau  occupy  human  attention* 
And  duty  respecting  the  temperance  movement  is 
well  worthy  the  most  candid  and  careful  consid- 
eration. 

"  Begin  with  self.  We  need  scarcely  say  that 
it  is  the  individual  duty  to  be  consistently  temper- 
ate. No  man  has  a  right  to  mar  and  scar  the 
handy-workmanship  of  his  Creator  by  self-inflic- 
tions in  any  form.  Intemperance  involves  the 
highest  possible  inflictions  upon  the  entire  mam 
It  is  murder  by  protracted  process,  perpetrated 
upon  his  physical  being,  his  social  nature,  his  in- 
tellectual powers,  and  upon  his  deathless  spirit. 
It  is  a  matchless  wrong  inflicted  upon  self,  which 
no  man  has,  or  can  have,  a  right  to  perpetrate. 
Murder  is  the  greatest  wrong  that  can  possibly  be 


1 76  THK  LIFE  OF 

inflicted ;    and   drunkenness  is  self-murder  in  the 
worst  possible  form. 

"  Next  to  personal,  is  parental  duty.      Those 
who  are  false  to  self,  will  not  be  true  to  family,  or 
any   other'  interest.     Heaven   has    committed   to 
parents  the  fearful  responsibility  of  training  their 
children.      Upon  them  devolved  the  unspeakably 
delicate  duty  of  laying  the  foundation  stones  in  the 
superstructure  of  their  children's   character,   and 
thus   to   an  extent  in  the   presence  of  which  an 
angel  might  well  tremble,  determine  their  children's' 
destiny,  both  for  this  and  the  future  world.      The 
fiery  cup  of  death  and  damnation  should  be  care- 
fully kept  from  their  tender  lips.     Early  in  life,, 
upon  the  father  and  mother's  knee  they  should  be 
made  intelligent  as   to   its    dreadful   effects,  and 
taught  to  shun  it  as  they  would  the  bite  of  a  ser- 
pent, or  sting  of  an  adder.     All  domestic  wines  or 
juices,  having  the  least  particle  of  alcohol  should 
be  excluded  the  domestic  circle,  as  Satan  and  his 
legions  were  excluded  from  heaven.     The  principle 
of  total  abstinence  from   all  that  can  intoxicate 
should  be  inwrought  into  the  very  web-work  of 
their  souls.     What  parent  would  not  welcome  the 
deadly  knife  of  the  assassin  to  the  heart  of  his 
child,  rather  than  the  thrice  deadly  fang  of  this 
liquid  serpent  of  perdition  and  the  woeful  fate  of 
the   drunkard?     Then,  by  the  love  you  bear  for 
those  precious,  priceless  jewels  of  immortal  worth,, 
see  that  no   efforts   are  untried   to   fortify    them 
against  all  possibility  of  a  doom  so  dreadful.    As 


KEV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  177 

Hamilcar  pledged  his  son  Hannibal,  when  but 
nine  years  old,  to  eternal  hostility  against  Home, 
so  in  like  manner,  let  all  our  children  be  pledged 
to  ceaseless  war  upon  tliis  chief  enemy  of  God  and 
man.  By  every  consideration  sacred  to  a  parent's 
heart,  we  solemnly  adjure  them  all  to  the  faithful 
performance  of  this  duty. 

"  Bat  the  sphere  of  duty  is  not  confined  to  self 
and  the  home-circle.  There  is  the  place  to  begin, 
but  not  to  stop.  We  are  interwoven  with  the 
warp  and  Woof  of  society.  In  spite  of  ourselves, 
our  lives  must,  for  weal  or  for  woe,  affect  the 
fortunes  of  others.  This  fact  constitutes  the  sub- 
basis  of  an  enlarged  area  of  obligation.  (1.)  We 
are  to  do  others  no  harm.  (2.)  We  are  to  do  all 
possible  good,  both  to  their  souls  and  bodies  j  and 
(3.)  We  are  to  protect  them  against  wrong  at  the 
hands  of  others.  Not  enough  that  we  do  our 
neighbor  no  harm.  Not  enough  that  we  do  him 
all  the  good  we  can  personally.  We  may  not  in- 
nocently stand  by  and  permit  the  infliction  of 
injuries  by  others.  These  principles  are  funda- 
mental to  the  social  compact;  and  applied  to  the 
subject  of  Temperance,  they  (1.)  Forbid  all 
agency,  direct  or  indirect,  in  the  manufacture,  sale, 
purchase,  or  use  of  intoxicating  liquors,  as  a 
beverage.  (2.)  Require  that  we  should  do  our 
utmost  to  influence  all  others  to  practice  habits  of 
strictest  temperance.  (3,)  That,  by  forces,  both 
moral  and  legal,  we  prevent  all  others  from  the 
8* 


178  THE  LIFE  OP 

worse  than  murderous  traffic  in  liquors  that  can 
intoxicate.  And  while  it  is  our  most  bounden 
duty  to  do  thus  personally,  it  is  no  less  our  duty, 
in  all  ways  that  are  proper,  to  combine  and  co-act 
with  others  for  the  realization  of  these  results. 
As  we  would  drive  the  demon,  alcohol,  from  the 
paradise  of  home,  so  should  we  banish  it  from  the 
Eden  of  the  neighborhood  and  community. 

"  The  Churches  have  a  duty  to  do  in  this  regard, 
No  pulpit  can  be  innocently  silent  on  this  subject. 
The  ministry  may  not  imitate  the  example  of  the 
Priest  and  Levite  and  quietly  pass  by  the  poor 
drunkard  who  has  fallen  among  thieves,  and  been 
stripped  not  only  of  money  and  clothing,  but  of 
reputation,  reason  and  manhood  as  well,  and  left 
more  than  half-dead.  To  the  limits  of  ability,  they 
must  be  good  Samaritans,  and  employ  their  utmost 
powers,  personal  and  official,  for  the  speedy  over- 
throw of  this  monstrous  iniquity.  They  should 
put  themselves  in  personal  contact  with  the  miser- 
able drunkard  and  his  wretched  family,  and  by  ail 
means  possible,  seek  their  salvation.  They  should 
not  only  denounce  drunkenness,  but  with  rebukes 
doubly  blasting,  brand  to  blistering,  the  infamous 
traffic  which  causes  it  all;  and  with  saourge,  made 
of  large  or  small  cords,  they  should  drive  from  the 
temple  all  engaged  in  the  infernal  commerce.  It 
is  a  most  disgraceful  sight  to  see  the  poor  victim 
of  inebriety  shut  within  the  limits  of  gloomy  prison 
walls,  while  his  more  guilty  destroyer  is  welcomed 
to   the  highest  and  softest  seat  in  the   synagogue. 


mv.   ADAM   CROOKS.  179 

The  cry  of  the  slave  rent  the  heavens,  and  the 
popular  Churches  of  the  land  were  deaf  to  his  cry* 
In  the  name  of  God  and  humanity  let  them  not  sin 
in  like  manner  in  relation  to  intemperance. 

"Three  things  are  necessary  to  the  compassment 
of  this  reformation.  (1)  Public  sentiment  must 
be  toned  up  to  fully  meet  the  demands  of  the  hour. 
This  must  be  done  by  the  triple  power  of  the 
pulpit,  the  platform  and  the  press.  (2)  The  en- 
forcement of  the  laws  already  in  existence  against 
the  rum-traffic :  and  (3)  The  enactment  and  en- 
forcement of  all  such  laws  as  are  needed.  Nothing 
short  of  this  covers  the  whole  ground. 

"But  all  this  means  work.  Forces  must  be  or- 
ganized, monies  must  be  raised  and  appropriated. 
There  must  be  work  in  the  Churches — in  pulpit 
and  pew— in  the  Sabbath-schools,  in  the  communi- 
ties, in  families  and  everywhere.  Eesults  as  dif- 
ficult as  they  are  vast,  are  to  be  realized.  And  in 
this  God-honoring,  and  man-saving  work,  let  no 
Wesleyan  minister  or  member  be  found  in  the  rear 
of  the  foremost  of  God's  embattled  hosts.  The 
forces  of  the  enemy  are  organized  and  massed. 
Their  attitude  is  insolently  defiant.  Hence,  we 
must  organize,  mass  forces,  and  "  up  and  at  them." 
Let  us  have  "  organized  victory,"  and  with  the 
blessing  of  God,  have  it  without  delay." 

In  July,  1810,  he  wrote  this  editorial : — 

ENTIRE  CONSECRATION. 
"  Under  this  impressive  caption  we  wish  to  an- 


180  THE  LIFE  OF 

swer  two  questions.    First— What  is  it  ?   Second- 
Why  should  we  make  it? 

"  What  is  entire  Consecration  ?  To  Consecrate 
is  to  set  apart;  to  dedicate  to  a  holy  purpose.  En- 
tire Consecration  is  the  setting  apart  of  all,  with- 
out reservation  or  qualification,  to  the  service  of 
God. 

"  1.  It  implies  an  open,  public  committal  to  the 
service  of  God.  Secret  discipleship  is  excluded. 
No  person  can  make  entire  Consecration  to  God 
and  keep  that  fact  in  concealment.  This  light  can- 
not be  put  under  a  bushel.  If  the  act  of  Consecra- 
tion is  kept  in  concealment,  that  very  fact  proves 
that  it  is  not  entire.  The  cross  of  public  avowal 
is  not  taken  up. 

"  2.  It  implies  the  Consecration  of  the  whole  be- 
ing. All  the  powers  of  affection,  all  of  learning, 
of  logic,  of  oratory,  of  social  or  civil  position ;  all 
of  friends  and  friendship — all  that  immediately  ap- 
pertains to  the  person,  must  be  fully  at  the  Divine 
disposal.  No  part  of  the  price  must  be  kept  back. 
No  separate  interest— no  antagonizing  will  is  al- 
lowable. Its  language  is,  without  qualification  or 
mental  reservation,  l  Lord,  here  ami;  send  me.' 
Send  me  to  a  hard  place  or  an  easy  one,  a  high  po- 
sition or  a  low  one,  along  a  rough  road  or  smooth 
one ;  give  me  many  or  few  friends ;  let  me  be  rich 
or  poor,  sick  or  well,  at  home  with  its  quiet  and 
plenty  and  comforts,  or  on  desert  wastes,  or  amid 
mountains  of  perpetual  ice  and  snow  ;  in  hunger- 
ings  or  thirstings,  in  weariness  and  labor,  in  perils 


REV,  ADAM  CROOKS.  181 

by  land,  in  perils  by  sea,  or  in  perils  among  false 
brethren  \  in  prison  or  in  palaces,  in  enthronement 
or  martyrdom,  in  service  or  sacrifice,  just  as  God 
shall  order.  The  Divine  will  must  be  enthroned 
supreme  in  all  that  appertains  to  our  person. 
Obedience  must  be  unqualified  and  universal. 
Every  duty  faithfully  performed ;  every  suffering 
patiently  endured;  even  life  itself  must  not  be 
withheld* 

"  3.  Having  said  thus  much,  it  is  scarcely  neces- 
sary to  say  that  time,  and  property,  and  all 
property  interests,  must  be  wholly  given  to  God, 
Every  day  and  every  dollar  must  be  esteemed  and 
used  as  belonging  to  Him,  and  in  such  manner  as 
in  our  best  judgment  will  most  conduce  to  His  high- 
est glory.  Of  course  this  necessarily  involves  the 
life-calling  and  the  bounds  of  our  habitation.  In 
settling  these  questions  we  must  have  primal  refer- 
ence to  the  Divine  glory, 

"  4.  All  this  is  to  be  done,  not  mechanically  or 
reluctantly,  but  cheerfully  and  heartily  from  a  clear 
apprehension  that  it  is  our  "reasonable  service." 
Here  is  voluntary  and  perpetual  self-abnegation — 
the  deeding,  signing,  sealing,  conveying  and  deliv- 
ering, of  all  and  singular,  of  self  and  appurte- 
nances, forever,  to  God. 

"  This  continuous  act  of  Consecration  finds  faint 
illustration  in  the  enlistment  and  vows  of  the  sol- 
dier. Having  enlisted  and  assumed  his  obligation, 
the  soldier  is  the  exclusive  property  of  the  Govern- 
ment— all   his   powers,    all    his   interests,   all  his 


182  THE  LIFE  OF 

services,  and  even  his  life,  are  its  property.  But 
the  services,  sacrifices,  and  sufferings  of  the  soldier 
are  coersive  j  whereas  all  the  Christian  gives,  does 
or  endures  in  the  cause  of  his  Master  through  life, 
is  voluntary,  from  the  promptings  of  apprehended 
obligation  and  of  supreme  preference. 

"  But  why  this  entire  Consecration  ? 

"  1.  Because  it  is  right.  We  belong  to  God* 
He  has  made  us.  In  Him  we  live,  and  move,  and 
have  our  being.  We  live  at  His  expense.  And 
we  are  His  purchased  possession.  He  bought  us 
with  a  price.  And  oh,  what  a  price !  Thus,  all 
we  are  and  all  we  have,  belong,  of  right,  to  God, 
What  can  be  more  reasonable  than  that  we  render 
unto  God  that  which  is  his  due  ? 

"2.  It  is  our  reasonable  service  because  it  is 
the  best  use  we  can  make  of  our  powers.  It  is  not 
only  right,  but  it  is  wise.  To  live  with  any  other 
intent,  to  any  other  purpose,  is  to  prostitute  our 
powers  to  all  that  is  calamitous  to  self  and  to  oth- 
ers, with  reference  to  both  time  and  eternity.  This 
is  infinite  madness.  But  entire  consecration  is  the 
devotion  of  our  powers  to  the  highest  and  holiest 
of  all  purposes— is  to  make  them  productive  of  the 
greatest  good  possible  to  self  and  all  others,  both 
for  this  and  the  future  state.  The  wisdom  of  this 
is  equalled  only  by  the  folly  and  utter  madness  of 
its  opposite.  Here  holiest  duty  and  highest  inter- 
est  are  co-alescent. 

"  3.  But  God  requires  nothing  more  of  us  than 
he  has  done  and  proposes  to  do  for  us.     He  gave 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  183 

His  Son  to  service,  to  suffering,  and  to  death,  for 
us.  He  kept  back  no  part  of  the  price.  He  drank 
the  cup  to  its  utmost  dregs.  With  his  expiring 
breath,  he  declared  that  the  work  of  our  redemp. 
tion  l is  finished.'  And  for  the  future,  he  offers 
all  that  is  possible  for  Heaven  to  bestow.  If  we 
will  but  become  his  people,  he  will  become  our 
God ;  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  and  '  all 
things'  become  ours.  What  an  enriching  con- 
tract is  this  !  How  little  we  give  !  How  much  we 
receive  !  Human  thought  cannot  conceive.  Angel- 
tongue  cannot  tell. 

"4.  Bat  entire  Consecration  is  an  unalterable 
condition  of  salvation.  This  lesson  is  not  sufficient- 
ly taught ;  and  surely  it  is  not  sufficiently  appre- 
hended. It  is  usually  conceded  that  a  few  eminent 
Christians  and  ministers  of  the  Gospel  should  be 
thus  wholly  consecrated,  but  not  so  with  ordinary 
Christians.  It  is  to  be  feared  that  so-called  ordi- 
nary Christians  are  not  Christians  at  all.  Is  not 
the  evidence  but  to%o  conclusive,  that  too  many  pro- 
fessed Christians  and  Christian  ministers  live  to 
themselves  ?  '  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know 
them.'  True,  for  the  most  part,  young  converts 
have  but  limited  views  of  entire  Consecration  ;  but 
the  cCnsecration  is  fully  up  to  the  conception. 
This  must  be  true  in  all  after  life.  As  the  concep- 
tion of  Consecration,  in  import  and  duty,  develops, 
the  act  of  Consecration  must  become  proportion  - 
ately  more  complete." 

"  5,     Consecration  is  the  precise  point  of  union 


184  THE  LIFE  OF 

between  the  human  and  the  Divine,  When  all  Is" 
placed  on  the  altar,  then  comes  down  the  Baptism 
of  power.  Are  not  this  Consecration  and  attend-* 
ant  baptism  the  great  want  of  the  Church  ?  Is  not 
this  the  key  to  its  want  of  general  efficiency  ? 

"  This  matter  is  eminently  personal.  Reader 5 
How  is  this  with  you  ?  Are  you  consecrated- 
saved — unqualifiedly  obedient ;  or  is  the  work  but 
partial  and  superficial  ?  Have  you  the  baptism  of 
power?  Will  you  now  make  the  Consecration 
complete  ?  Until  this  is  done  there  is  a  contro- 
versy between  God  and  thee.  Oh,  terminate  this 
controversy  at  once  j  and  become  the  material  of 
which  martyrs  are  made,  which  is  a  blessing  to 
earth,  and  for  which  await  the  awards  of  an  end- 
less heaven  I" 

CONVERSION  OF  CHILDREN. 

He  was  very  much  interested  in  the  conversion 
of  children.  He  was  earnest  in  his  teachings  on 
this  subject.  "Bring  the  children  early  to  Jesus" 
was  his  plea.  I  give  a  few  extracts  from  his 
writings  on  Early  Piety. 

"  There  is  nothing  more  beautiful,  more  import- 
ant, nor  that  should  be  promoted  with  greater 
assiduity  than  early  piety.  With  what  pleasura- 
ble interest  we  read  of  Joseph,  and  Samuel,  and 
David,  and  Josiah,  and  of  Timothy  who  knew  the 
holy  Scriptures  from  a  child.  No  marvel  that 
David  said,  l  Come  ye  children,  hearken  unto  me, 
I  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  the  Lord;'    nor  that 


REY.  ADAM  CROOKS.  185 

Solomon  counseled  remembrance  of  the  Creator 
in  the  days  of  youth ;  nor  that  Jesus  said  to  the 
coming  generations,  l  Suffer  little  children  to  come 
unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not' 

"  For  years  we  have  been  deeply  impressed  with 
the  conviction,  that  neglect  of  the  children  has 
been  a  most  fruitful  source  of  the  weakness  and 
inefficiency  of  the  Church.  Baptized  children 
should  sustain  a  relation  to  the  Church  similar  to 
that  sustained  by  the  Catechumen  to  the  Primitive 
Church.  They  should  be  esteemed  and  treated 
as  candidates  for  its  full  fellowship  and  immuni- 
ties. It  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  childhood  is 
the  fulcrum,  and  early  religious  instruction  and 
discipline,  the  more  than  Archimedean  lever  with 
which  the  moral  world  is  to  be  turned  over. — 
Persia  educated  her  children  to  temperance,  in- 
dustry, and  a  prudent  economy,  and  thereby  gave 
strength,  greatness  and  perpetuity  to  the  State. 
Let  the  Church  but  educate  her  children  to  an  in- 
telligent and  vigorous  piety,  and  she  will  soon 
overthrow  the  great  Babylon  of  sin.  And  the 
sooner  the  Church  comes  to  fully  understand  this 
concealed  magazine  of  power,  the  better. 

"But  we  wish  to  speak  more  immediately  of  the 
great  advantages  of  early  piety.     And, 

"  1.  It  is  always  genuine.  Children  know  but 
little  of  those  sinister  motives  which  may  induce 
to  a  mercenary,  and  hence,  hypocritical  piety. 
Their  eye  is  single ;  and  hence,  the  whole  body  is 
full  of  light.     This  is  of  primal  consideration. 


186  THE  LIFE  OP 

"  2.  Children  do  not  have  to  overcome  the  force 
of  evil  habits  early  formed,  nor  unlearn  what  they 
have  learned  amiss.  The  soil  of  their  hearts  has 
not  been  pre-occupied  with  those  noxious  weeds. 
When  once  permitted  to  spring  up,  the  roots  strike 
deep,  and  adhere  with  most  troublesome  tenacity. 
Those  who  early  become  pious  are  at  once  saved 
immense  labor  and  annoyance.  And  this  is  a  most 
happy  economy. 

"  3.  Early  piety  is  the  only  safeguard  against 
the  adverse  influences  of  a  world  which  is  no  friend 
to  grace.  Dangers  stand  thick  through  all  the 
ground.  They  throng  man's  pathway  from  the 
cradle  to  the  grave.  The  human  heart  naturally 
gravitates  to  earth  and  to  sin.  The  heart  of  the 
young  is  most  prolific,  susceptible  and  unsuspect- 
ing. Nothing  but  positive  piety  can  render  the 
child  proof  against  the  joint  action  of  unfriendly, 
internal  and  external  forces.  If  you  would  not 
have  the  souls  of  the  dear  children  polluted  by  sin, 
their  characters  stained  by  crime,  and  would  have 
their  eternal  interests  secure  from  most  imminent 
peril,  early  sow  the  seeds  and  vigilantly  cultivate 
the  plants  of  piety  in  their  young  and  tender 
hearts. 

"4.  Principles  first  imbibed  and  habits  first 
formed  are  at  once  the  most  powerful  and  the 
most  lasting.  Hence,  the  nervous  language  of  the 
Wise  Man : — "  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he 
should  go ;  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart 
from  it."      l  But  a  child  left  to  himself  bringeth 


187 

his  mother  to  shame.'  How  immensely  important 
that  Satan  should  not,  and  that  God  and  the  soul 
should  have  the  benefit  of  this  fundamental  law  of 
our  being. 

"  5.  If  persons  do  not  become  pious  while  young, 
there  is  danger  they  never  will ;  and  this  danger 
increases  with  each  successive  day  and  hour  of  sin. 
Nothing  is  more  true  than  that  continuance  in  sin 
hardens  men  in  it.  Conscience  becomes  callous, 
passion  inflamed,  sensibilities  corrupted  and  per- 
verted, and  the  will  more  and  more  perverse,  until 
the  case  becomes  appalling — hopeless.  Sin  is  fear- 
fully self-perpetuating. 

"  6.  In  addition  to  all  this,  there  is  but  a  step- 
between  every  human  personality  and  death — young 
as  well  as  old. 

1  Great  God !  on  what  a  slender  thread 

Hang  everlasting  things  ! 
Th7  eternal  state  of  all  the  dead 

Upon  life's  feeble  strings  !7 

"  7.  Early  piety  alone  can  promise  time  in  which 
to  develop  to  maturity  the  Christian  graces,  and 
hence  to  furnish  the  world  with  the  most  admirable 
specimens  of  Christian  character. 

"  If  the  harvest  is  either  rich  or  abundant,  the 
sowing  must  be  seasonable.  All  agree  that  child- 
hood and  youth  are  life's  seed-time.  Those  who  do 
not  become  pious  until  mature  in  life,  must  needs 
contend  against  a  double  disadvantage.  First,  they 
have  but  little  time  in  which  to  grow  up  to  the 
'fullness  of  the  stature  of  men  and  women  in  Christ 


188  THE  LIFE  OF 

Jesus ;'  and  second,  they  have  the  stubborn  force 
of  long  continued  habit  against  which  to  contend. 
Much  more  to  do,  and  less  time  for  the  work. 

"  8.  Time  and  opportunity  to  labor  in  the  vine- 
yard of  the  Lord — to  bless  the  world,  and  to  make 
life  a  grand  practical  success,  make  their  plea'5  for 
early  piety.  How  deep  and  painful  the  regrets  of 
those  who  worse  than  throw  away  a  large  portion 
of  a  life  so  brief.  How  blessed  to  give  all  of  time 
and  strength  and  life,  to  cheerful  co-operative  effort 
with  God  and  all  the  good  in  the  great  work  of  hu- 
man salvation.  An  entire  offering  on  this  holy  altar , 
how  good  and  acceptable  to  God. 

"  9.  Early  piety  affords  the  best  foundation  for 
a  substantial  character.  It  makes  strong  in  knowl- 
edge, in  faith,  in  deep  and  varied  experience,  in 
purified  affections,  in  husbanded  energies,  high  pur- 
poses, holy  habits,  and  joyful  anticipa  tions  !  Strong 
to  resist  evil.  There  was  divine  wisdom  displayed 
in  permitting  those  who  had  grown  up  amid  the 
idolatrous  practices  of  the  Egyptians  to  die  in  the 
Wilderness,  and  in  leading  their  children  who  knew 
not  these  practices,  into  the  land  of  Promise.  So 
does  early  piety  give  strength  to  grapple  with  the 
great  crimes  of  any  age — to  exterminate  moss- 
covered  errors,  and  raze  to  their  foundations  the 
temples  of  time-honored  crimes. 

If  Christian  parents  and  the  Church  would  re- 
spond to  this  urgent  call,  then  must  they  do  as 
commanded  in  Deut.  xi:  18 — 21.  '  Lay  up  the 
words  of  the  law  in  their  hearts  and  their  souls, 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  189 

and  bind  them  for  a  sign  upon  their  hands,  and  let 
them  be  as  frontlets  between  their  eyes ;  and  teach 
them  to  the  children,  speaking  of  them  when  they 
sit  in  the  house,  when  they  walk  by  the  way,  when 
they  lie  down  and  when  they  rise  up,  and  write 
them  upon  the  door-posts  of  the  house  and  upon 
the  gates.'  Also  xxxi :  11 — 13.  When  they  come 
to  appear  before  the  Lord  in  the  place  which  he 
shall  choose,  (in  their  religious  assemblages,)  they 
shall  gather  the  people  together,  men,  women  and 
children,  and  the  strangers  within  the  gate,  that 
they  may  hear,  and  learn,  and  fear  the  Lord,  and 
observe  to  do  all  the  words  of  the  law." 

CHRISTIAN  PATIENCE. 

From  an  editorial  upon  this  subject,  I  clip  the 
following : — 

"  The  man  of  tranquil,  patient  perseverance  is  in 
himself  a  moral  host;  whereas,  without  patience, 
although  in  intellect  a  giant,  yet  in  moral  force  he 
can  be  but  a  pigmy.  So,  if  we  would  be  God-like, 
we  must  be  patient.  How  through  the  heavy 
tramp  of  the  ages,  God  works  and  waits.  How 
during  four  thousand  years  he  laid  the  foundation 
for  redemption.  In  this  great  work  there  is  no 
haste.  Christ  did  not  come  till  the  fullness  of 
time.  And  how  he  yet  works  and  waits  for  the 
consummation  of  the  redemptive  scheme.  He  is  in 
no  haste;  nor  need  he  be.  The  ages  to  come  are 
his  in  which  to  work.     Sitting  on  the  circle  of  the 


190  THE  LIFE  OP 

heavens,  he  surveys  the  thousand  millions,  of 
earth,  "witnesses  their  deadly  quarrels,  brethren 
cheating  brethren,  the  wildness  and  greed  for  gold, 
the  thankless  ingratitude  which  never  sees  the 
hand  that  feeds  them,  the  oppression  and  enslave- 
ment of  millions,  the  madness  and  slaughter  of 
red-visaged  war,  the  world  lying  in  the  wicked 
one,  yet  there  comes  no  outcry  Irom  the  heavens 
to  still  all  this  unrest;  but  gently,  and  patiently, 
the  ministry  of  nature  and  of  Providence  proceeds 
from  year  to  year;  as  gently,  patiently,  and  un- 
remittingly as  if  universally  greeted  with  gratitude 
and  praise.  Then,  Reformer,  Lover  of  Mankind, 
Christian  Minister,  take  for  your  model  the  Great 
God,  and  work  and  wait. — -Bat  finally — Patient 
continuance  in  well  doing  alone,  is  crowned  with 
glory,  honor,  immortality  and  eternal  life.  Then, 
let  patience  have  her  perfect  work." 

From  an  editorial  upon  "Does  God  Work  by 
Great  or  Small  Means  ?" — 

"  These  enumerated  examples  of  Divine  interpo- 
sition indicate  with  unerring  accuracy,  the  place  of 
the  power  by  which  the  achievements  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  in  her  entire  history,  have  been  ac- 
complished. Accordingly,  we  read :  '  Not  by 
might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the 
Lord' — of  enduement  with  power  from  on  high — 
of  earthen  vessels  being  chosen,  that  the  '  excel- 
lence of  the  power'  may  be  of  God,  and  not  of 
men — and  of  '  weak  things,'  and  l  things  that  are 
not'  bringing  to  naught   '  things  that  are  mighty.' 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  191 

The  disciples  were  weak,  and  yet  they  triumphed. 
Primitive  Christians  were  weak,  and  yet  they 
triumphed.  Luther  was  weak,  and  yet  he  triumph- 
ed. Wesley  and  coadjutors  were  weak,  and  yet 
they  triumphed.  Early  Abolitionists  were  weak, 
and  yet  they  triumphed.  So,  numerically,  we 
"Wesleyans  are  weak,  and  the  things  to  be  confound- 
ed are  mighty,  but  if  we  know  the'place  of  the  hid- 
ing of  God's  power,  we  shall  triumph.  Union 
with  God  alone,  is  the  place  op  power.  If  in 
any   case,  this  union  is  not  complete,  let   it    be 

MADE  SO  WITHOUT  DELAY." 

In  1871  the  General  Conference  convened  in 
Syracuse.  Mr.  Crooks  was  chosen  President.  At 
this  Conference  Rev.  L.  N.  Stratton  was  elected 
associate  editor  with  Mr.  Crooks,  who  was  also 
reappointed  Agent.  This  Conference  recommended 
that  as  soon  as  possible  arrangements  should  be 
made  to  build  a  new  and  more  commodious  pub- 
lishing house.  They  authorized  the  Agent  to  open 
a  subscription  immediately  for  the  purpose  of  rais- 
ing the  needed  funds.  This  work  was  commenced 
at  once.  "The  people  had  a  mind  to  work," 
and  rallied  nobly.  A  few  months  after,  among  his 
editorials,  I  find  the  following,  aimed  at  the  "love 
of  money"  : — ■ 

FOLLY'S  CARNIVAL. 

"  Folly's  Carnival !  What  is  it  ?  Is  it  spending 
the  long,  long  nights  in  the  frenzied  whirl  of  the 
giddy  dance  ?     Without  dispute,  this  is  bad  enough, 


192  THE   LIFE  OP 

and  quite  too  much  savors  of  the  senseless  pleas- 
ures  of  the  night  or  savage  life  to  find  place  or 
favor  in  the  noon-day  of  Christian  civilization.  But 
this  is  not  what  is  meant.  Then,  is  it  the  uncom- 
pensated surrender  of  '  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit 
of  intelligent  and  virtuous  happiness '  at  the  debas- 
ing shrine  of  fashion,  heartless  as  it  is  fickle  ?  While 
it  must  be  admitted  that  this  is  bad  beyond  the 
possibilty  of  proper  characterization,  yet  it  is  not 
the  thing  intended.  Nor  yet  is  it  the  desperate 
madness  which  impels  an  immortal  being  in  pursuit 
of  substantial  good  amid  the  dehumanizing  slums  of 
beastly  sensuosity ;  nor  firey  floods  of  intemperance ; 
nor  yet  the  desolating  waves  of  red-visaged  war, 
after  which  this  earnest  mission  is  sent.  The  thing 
of  which  we  write,  is  none  other  than  that  almost 
universally  dominant  love  of  money  which  an  in- 
spired Apostle  so  fitly  styles  'the  root  of  all  evil.' 
For  who  does  not  know  that  pre-eminently,  money 
is  the  Moloch  of  America  ?  The  name  of  its  wor- 
shipers is  -Legion;'  for  they  are  many.  In  the 
nervous  language  of  Pollock,  never  more  true  than 
now: — 

'  Gold  many  hunted — sweat  and  bled  for  gold ; 
Waked  all  the  night,  and  labored  all  the  day. 
And  what  was  this  allurement,  dost  thou  ask  ? 
A  dust  dug  from  the  bowels  of  the  earth, 
Which,  being  cast  into  the  fire,  came  out 
A  shining  thing  that  fools  admired,  and  called 
A  god  ;  and  in  devout  and  humble  plight 
Before  it  kneeled,  the  greater  to  the  less  ; 
And  on  its  altar  sacrificed  ease,  peace, 


REV,    ADAM  CROOKS.  193 

Truth,  faith,  integrity,  good  conscience,  friends, 
Love,  charity,  benevolence,  and  all 
The  sweet  and  tender  sympathies  of  life ; 
And  to  complete  the  horrid  murderous  rite 
And  signalize  their  folly,  offered  up 
Their  souls,  and  an  eternity  of  bliss, 
To  gain  them — what?  an  hour  of  dreaming  joy, 
A  feverish  hour  that  hasted  to  be  done, 

And  ended  in  the  bitterness  of  woe.' 

*  *  *  * 

'Of  all  God  made  upright, 
And  in  their  nostrils  breathed  a  living  soul, 
Most  fallen,  most  prone,  most  earthly,  most  debased, 
Of  all  that  sold  Eternity  for  Time, 
None  bargained  on  so  easy  terms  with  death. 
Illustrious  fool!  Nay,  most  inhuman  wretch! 
He  sat  among  his  bags,  and  with  a  look 
Of  which  hell  might  be  ashamed,  drove  the  poor 
Away  unalmsed ;  and  'midst  abundance  died — 
Sorest  of  evils  !  died  of  utter  want.' 

"The  'root  of  all  evil.'  The  infernal  fountain, 
which  feeds  every  form  of  vice  and  crime.  The 
accursed  rock  on  which  countless  thousands  make 
shipwreck  of  immortal  wealth.  The  debasing  altar 
«  before  which  demonizing  worship  is  offered  at  the 
expense  of  an  'eternity  of  bliss.'  Alas,  that  un- 
numbered thousands  bearing  the  name  of  a  sinless 
Christ  crowd  the  broad  aisles  of  this  temple  ac- 
cursed and  abandoned  of  God,  and  whose  open 
doors  are  the  gilded  gates  to  perdition. 

"  How  this  insatiable  greed  for  gold  congeals  the 

liquid  streams   of  mercy   for   the   poor.      How  it 

paralyzes  the  arm  of  Christian  enterprise,  whether 

home  or  foreign.     How  it  withholds  tithes  from  the 
9 


194  THE  LIFE   OF 

Lord's  house,  dooms  to  penury  his  ministry,  and 
impoverishes  to  beggary  the  coffers  of  Christian 
charity.  How  it  repels  from  all  place  in  God's 
sanctuary  the  wretched  children  of  poverty,  but 
welcomes  to  highest  seat  the  man  with  gold  ring  or 
woman  in  costly  appareL  How  un-Christ-like  it 
renders  all  things  bearing  his  name.  How  it  feasts 
the  flesh,  but  dooms  the  soul  to  endless  Lent-— Star- 
vation !  How  its  hoarded  heaps  blight  the  bloom- 
ing hopes  of  fond  parents,  by  withholding  from  the 
children  the  needed  stimulants  to  healthful  enter- 
prise, and  meanwhile  dooming  them  the  envied 
victims  of  the  consuming  vices  of  costly  idleness,— 
thus  entailing  the  double  curse  of  dwarfing  the 
beautiful  and  good,  and  developing  to  horrid  pro- 
portions the  sordid  and  selfish.  Hence,  the  all- 
prevalent  lameness  and  blasting  throughout  the 
borders  of  the  Zion  of  this  money-worshiping  age. 
Heaven  pity  us  !  This  is  indeed  Folly's  dreadful 
Carnival. 

"Dear  reader:  Introvert  your  attention;  and 
answer  to  your  conscience  and  your  God  !  Does 
the  fatal  virus  of  this  firey  serpent  circulate  death 
through  all  the  parts  and  powers  of  your  soul? 
By  all  that  is  hallowed  in  eternal  interests,  let  not 
this  be  so." 

ONCE  MOKE  IN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

"  Here  I  am,  safe  and  sound  in  old  North  Caro 
lina,  after  an  absence  of  twenty-one  years.  I  have 
not  been  to  visit  old   familiar  scenes,  but  matters 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  195 

have  greatly  changed,  I  assure  you.  The  man  at 
whose  hotel  I  stop  was  foreman  of  an  United  States 
Grand  Jury  which  indicted  six  hundred  Ku-Klux, 
all  under  bonds.,  to  be  tried  in  September.  Some 
of  these,  ministers  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South. 
Am  feeling  quite  like  an  American  citizen  here, 
where  slavery  once  ruled  as  with  a  rod  of  iron  and 
a  knife  of  steel. 

"  Twenty-five  years  ago  the  coming  September, 
we  came  to  North  Carolina.  Then  Slavery,  both 
in  fact  and  spirit,  was  dominant.  The  Southern 
wing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  had  seced- 
ed, because  the  North  was  unwilling  to  have  a 
slave-holding  Bishop.  Hearing  that  the  Wesleyan 
Methodists  were  anti-slavery,  forty  citizens  of  Guil- 
ford county  met  in  convention  and  adopted  the 
Wesleyan  Methodist  discipline,  and  applied  to  the 
Allegheny  Conference  for  a  man  to  feed  them  on 
the  bread  of  life.  To  this  call  we  responded, 
knowing  well  that  it  was  at  the  peril  of  life.  Al- 
though an  entire  stranger  and  threatened  with  every 
violence,  yet  God  gave  us  prosperity. 

#_.'■#  ;  #'•*!  ♦ 

"  Jesse  McBride  was  called  to  cultivate  the 
ground  already  occupied  in  Carolina,  and  we  gave 
ourself  to  the  work  of  extending  our  borders  into 
fields  beyond.  Another  year  of  peril  and  prosper- 
ity throughout  the  whole  work.  Several  camp- 
meetings  were  held,  and  with  excellent  results. 
Brother  Bacon  entered  upon  his  third  year  in  Vir- 
ginia, McBride  upon  his  second  and  we  our  fourth, 


196  THE  LIFE   OP 

in  Carolina.  But  increased  prosperity  was  attend^ 
ed  with  increased  danger.  All  the  time  violence 
had  been  threatened ;  but  now  threats  were  more 
frequent  and  more  fierce.  The  enemy  saw  clearly 
that  they  must  dig  up  the  sapling  quickly  or  other- 
wise they  would  be  unable  to  cut  down  the  tree. 

Jf  -Jf  Jf  Jf  4f 

"  Just  as  we  knew  they  would  be,  flushed  by  this 
victory  in  driving  McBride,  with  ten-fold  determina- 
tion they  turned  their  batteries  upon  us ;  and  by 
threats,  and  mobbings,  and  a  reward  offered  for  our 
arrest,  they  waged  war  upon  us  from  May  until  Au- 
gust, the  close  of  the  Conference  year,  when  with 
sadness,  we  turned  our  face  to  home  and  friends, 
leaving  in  this  slavery-ruled  land  six  Wesieyan 
Meeting-houses,  and  some  five  hundred  members. 
Very  many  sold  out  and  moved  into  States  not 
cursed  with  the  withering  blight  of  Slavery. 

"  Yielding  to  successive  calls,  four  years  later, 
Daniel  Worth  returned  to  his  native  State,  preached 
extensively  for  several  months,  was  arrested  for 
circulating  Helper's  Impending  Crisis,  and  after 
some  months  imprisonment,  returned  to  the  free 
North  and  West.  But  Bacon  and  McBride  and 
Worth  are  all  dead.  Died  doubtless  as  the  results 
of  labors  performed  and  hardships  experienced  in 
the  South.     Of  these  four,  the  writer  alone  survives. 

"  The  war  came  on  and  freed  the  slaves.  The 
seeds  of  truth  sown  in  other  years  still  live  in  many 
hearts.     Hence,  repeated  calls  again  for  Wesieyan 


BET.  ADAM  CROOKS. 


197 


preachers.  Last  autumn,  the  Missionary  Board  of 
the  Indiana  Conference  and  the  Connectional  Board 
jointly,  responded  by  sending  brethren  E.  Brook" 
shire  and  R.  L.  Fisher  to  rebuild  the  walls  of  our 
spiritual  Jerusalem. 

"Immediately  upon  arrival  they  engaged  in  a 
revival  at  Shady  Grove,  resulting  in  nearly  one 
hundred  conversions  and  seventy-two  accessions. 
At  this  place,  Sabbath,  the  21st  July,  we  had  the 
pleasure  of  dedicating  to  the  worship  of  Almighty 
God  a  neat  and  well-proportioned  frame  structure? 
fourteen  feet  from  floor  to  ceiling,  and  twenty-four 
by  thirty-four;  when  all  painted  and  furnished,  to 
be  the  best  Methodist  rural  meeting-house  in  three 
counties.  And  better  still,  notwithstanding  the 
sore  pressure  of  the  times,  when  all  completed,  is 
to  be  free  from  debt.  No  one  not  knowing  the  cir- 
cumstances, can  appreciate  how  great  this  achieve- 
ment is.  The  membership  is  composed  of  excellent 
material,  substantial  heads  of  families,  and  godly, 
zealous  young  men  and  women.  A.  revival  in  pro- 
gress this  week;  and  up  to  this  Thursday,  a  number 
of  conversions  and  twenty-fiVe  accessions.  In  all, 
they  have  three  meeting-houses,  and  deeds  covering 
thirteen  acres,  including  a  four-acre-lot  on  which  a 
fourth  meeting-house  is  to  be  erected.  The  entire 
membership  is  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five ; 
and  new  and  inviting  fields  are  still  opening;  so 
that  at  the  close  of  the  first  year,  prospects  are 
good  for  a  bright  future. 
"Although  we  have  been   worked  pretty  hard, 


198 


THE  LIFE  OF 


averaging  a  sermon  for  each  day,  our  visit  has  been 
a  real  pleasure." 

High  Point,  N.  C,  July,  1872. 

Mr.  Crooks  was  absent  from  the  office  fourteen 
days,  and  in  that  time  preached  fourteen  sermons. 
More  than  one-half  of  that  time,  day  and  night, 
was  spent  traveling,  and  in  July,  too.  He  was  not 
well  when  he  returned  and  did  not  fully  recover 
from  the  journey  before  he  commenced  the  round 
of  Fall  Conferences.  He  was  soon  taken  sick,  and 
for  a  number  of  weeks  was  a  great  sufferer;  yet 
he  attended  all  the  Conferences  and  with  the  help 
of  kind  brethren  sold  his  books  and  transacted  the 
usual  amount  of  Conference  business,  beside  press- 
ing the  claims  of  the  fund  for  the  new  Publishing 
House.  He  had  nearly  recovered  from  the  effect 
of  his  illness  when  he  returned  and  was  ready  for 
the  work  waiting  for  him  at  the  office. 

The  following  article  was  written  in  August, 
1873.  Mr.  Crooks  felt  more  and  more  the  impor- 
tance of  our  continued  existence  as  a  denomination. 
He  could  see  a  vast  field  of  labor,  which  we  might 
occupy  if  we  would  only  step  forward  in  the  line 
of  duty.  He  saw  those  fields  "  already  white  for 
the  harvest,"  but  the  "laborers  were  few."  It  seem- 
ed to  him  that  there  was  a  great  work  to  be  done 
by  us  especially.  As  in  the  past  we  had  to  stand 
almost  single-handed  in  opposing  the  popular  sins 
of  the  day,  so  in  the  present  we  were  in  the  front 
ranks  of  the  battle  between  Christ  and  Belial, — be- 
cause other  denominations  are  not  willing  to  bold- 


KEV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  19$ 

ty  confront  sin  in  high  places,  and  follow  the  "  meek 
and  lowly  Jesus,"  whithersoever  he  goeth. 

"  OUR  WORK  NOT  FINISHED. 

In  connection  with,  and  immediately  subsequent 
to  the  recent  "  reunion"  held  by  a  few  ex-Wesley- 
ans  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  very  strong  asseverations 
are  being  made  that  our  distinctive  work  as  a  de- 
nomination is  finished,  and  that  therefore  our  con- 
tinued existence  involves  schism,  and  hence,  sin 
against  God  and  his  Church. — -A  grave  allegation 
indeed  !  We  repel  it     Hear  us  patiently. 

"  At  this  reunion  Rev.  John  McEldowney  is  re- 
ported as  saying—'  To  me,  it  is  dishonoring  to  God 
for  brethren  remaining,  not  to  recognize  the  work 
as  finished.  I  cannot  see  how  it  is  possible  that 
a  fraction  can  maintain  a  schism  by  remaining  sepa- 
rate.' The  New  York  Christian  Advocate  takes  up 
the  above p-onunciamento  in  the  words  following: 
1  We  fail  to  see  any  good  reason  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  separate  existence  of  the  i  Wesleyan1 
body,  now  that  they  have  gained  every  point  upon 
which  they  originally  dissented  and  separated/ 
And  Dr.  Crooks  of  The  Methodist,,  also  of  New 
York,  prolongs  the  refrain  in  the  following  lusty 
language:  l  Of  all  our  separatists,  the  Wesleyans 
would  seem  to  have  the  least  reason  to  remain  out 
of  the  old  family.  In  a  case  like  theirs,  it  becomes 
a  grave  question  whether  continued  disunion  is  a 
mere  matter  of  expediency  or  whether  it  is  not  sin  ! 
— The  conscience  of  the  Church  needs  to  be  ap- 


200  THE  LIFE  OF 

peeled  to  on  this  subject— not  merely  its  prejudices 
or  its  interests.  Charity,  fellowship,  brotherhood/ 
co-operation — are  these  not  virtues  in  the  kingdom 
of  Christ  on  earth  ?  Many  a  banner-bearer  of  sec- 
tarian division  will  find  himself  recognized,  at  the 
last  day,  as  only  a  traitor  to  the  common  cause  of 
the  common  Master.' 

"  There,  we  like  that  close-jointed  way  of  putting 
this  great  subject — this  appeal  to  conscience,  and 
the  judgment.  Doctor  Crooks  is  right  in  placing 
our  Church  relationship  just  where  the  Bible  places 
it,  and  just  where  we  have  held  it  for  many  years 
and  still  hold  it — upon  the  firm  basis  of  eternal 
right.  And  we  add  j  this  is  exactty  what  has  kept 
us  out  of  the  ;  old  family'  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  still  keeps  us  out. 

"  But  these  good  Doctors  will  please  make  note 
that  their  sword  is  double-edged— cutting  both 
ways.  While  it  is  conceded  to  be  duty  to  hold 
fellowship  with  true  Christians,  on  the  other  hand 
it  is  equally  duty  to  refuse  fellowship  to  those  who 
are  not.  And  while  we  may  not  innocently  split 
the  Church — the  body  of  Christ — neither  may  we 
innocently  wed  that  body  to  sin,  and  thus  commit 
high  sacrilege.  '  Charity,  fellowship,  brotherhood, 
co-operation,'  are  beautiful — ail  of  them  beautiful 
— but  they  must  not  find  ultimate  foundation  in 
compromise  with  sin,  nor  in  truce  with  the  devil. 
Hence  the  pungent  language  of  the  Apostle — '  What 
fellowship  hath  righteousness  with  unrighteousness  ? 
What  communion  hath  light  with  darkness  ?      And 


REV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  201 

What  concord  has  Christ  with  Belial  ? — Wherefore 
come  out  from  among  them,  and  be  ye  separate,  saith 
the  Lord,  and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing;  and  I 
will  receive  you,  and  will  be  a  Father  unto  you, 
and  ye  shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saith  the 
Lord  Almighty.'  Thus  plainly,  our  being  the 
children  of  God  is  conditioned  upon  our  being  sep- 
arate from  the  unclean.  Again :  the  Spirit  through 
the  Revelator  says* — 'And  I  heard  another  voice 
from  heaven  saying,  Come  out  of  her  my  people, 
that  ye  be  not  partakers  of  her  sins,  and  that  ye 
receive  not  her  plagues.'  And  with  solemn  em- 
phasis  the  Apostle  says—'  I  command  you  in  the 
name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  that  you  withdraw 
yourselves  from  every  brother  who  walketh  disor- 
derly.' Moral  lepers  have  no  more  place  in  the 
fellowship  of  the  saints  than  physical  lepers  had  in 
the  camp  of  Israel.  To  affiliate  religiously  with 
evil  doers  is  to  become  partner  both  in  their  sins 
and  their  plagues.  Hence,  we  may  'dishonor 
God'  and  become  '  traitors  to  the  common  cause  of 
the  common  Master'  by  seeking  to  promote  unity  at 
the  expense  of  purity. 

"And  mark  well,  this  trinity  of  Doctors  teach 
the  duty  to  return,  but  only  upon  the  hypothesis 
that  our  distinctive  work  is  finished — that  every 
point  of  original  dissent  has  been  gained.  The 
plain  implication  of  their  language  is,  that  if  our 
work  is  not  finished,  our  continued  existence  is  all 
right.  We  think  exactly  so,  and  are  glad  to  agree 
9* 


202  THE  LIFE  OP 

with  these  learned  Doctors  on  this  central  principle, 
But  are  their  assumed  facts  well  founded  ?  Is 
our  work  finished  ?  Has  every  point  of  original 
dissent  been  gained  ?  These  are  the  questions 
pertinent.  But  before  answering,  we  wish  to  pre- 
mise,— 

"(1.)  No  marvel  that  Doctors  Crooks  and  Curry  i 
and  such  as  they,  see  no  cause  for  our  continued 
existence ;  for  years  ago  they  were  denouncing  as 
schismatics,  the  very  men  whom  they  now  laud  as 
'the  greatest  of  moral  heroes/  Such  laudation  is 
of  questionable  commendation. 

"(2.)  If  even  all  the  points  of  original  dissent 
have  been  gained,  it  does  not  therefore  follow  that 
there  are  now  no  valid  reasons  for  our  separate 
existence.  Other  causes  may  have  arisen  during 
the  past  thirty  years ;  or  other  good  reasons  may 
have  existed  then,  not  incorporated  into  the  orig- 
inal platform.     This  is  self-manifest. 

"(3.)  Every  one  of  these  Doctors  know  that 
'Schism,'  as  originally  used,  had  no  allusion  to  de- 
nominational unity — that  denominational  lines  do 
not  bound  the  area  of  Christian  fellowship ;  and 
that  this  talk  about  schism  in  such  connection,  is 
unworthy  their  learning.  And  as  to  the  talk  about 
our  return  to  the  bosom  of  the  'old  family,'  it  is  a 
family  with  which  the  majority  of  us  never  found 
domicile. 

"But  we  now  come  to  the  facts.  What  are  they  ? 
Is  our  work  finished  ?      Has  every  point  of  origi- 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  203 

na,l  dissent  been  gained  ?      The  facts  are  substan- 
tially these: — 

"  1.  It  is  true  that  chattle  slavery  no  longer  ex 
ists  in  this  Country.  But  it  is  equally  true  that 
while  it  did  exist,  it  found  sanctuary  in  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  True,  also,  that  when  at 
last  it  was  abolished  by  the  war-power  of  the  na- 
tion, instead  of  sackcloth  and  penitent  confession 
of  complicity  with  the  monstrous  iniquity,  we  hear 
boastful  thanks  to  God  for  long  continued  position 
in  the  front  ranks  of  anti-slavery  Churches.  Such 
vaunting  sacrilege  might  well  appall  heaven  !  This 
is  the  manner  in  which  that  point  was  gained. 

"  2.  Great  credit  is  claimed  for  having  adopted 
lay  delegation  in  General  Conference.  But  what 
kind  of  lay  delegation  is  it  ?  Is  it  equal  represen- 
tation, as  is  ours  ?  It  is  not.  No  more  than  two 
laymen  can  be  elected  from  within  the  bounds  of 
any  one  Annual  Conference ;  whereas  no  such  re- 
striction obtains  in  relation  to  the  ministry.  But 
even  these  lay  delegates  are  not  elected  by  nor 
representatives  of  the  unofficial  laity.  They  are 
elected  by  Electoral  Colleges  j  and  the  members 
of  these  Colleges  are  elected  by  the  Quarterly 
Conferences,  as  the  representatives  of  the  Quar- 
terly Conferences,  which  are  the  creatures  and 
agents  of  preachers  rather  than  of  the  people. 
In  the  Government  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  the  unofficial  laity  have  no  voice — are  a 
nullity.  Only  think  of  a  million  of  members  totally 
disfranchised !     This  is  all  that  has  been  gained. 


204  THE  LIFE  OF* 

Just  this ;  and  nothing  more.  And  is  not  this  lay 
representation  with  a  vengeance  ?  Something  over 
which  to  vociferate,  'The  work  finished  !  The  work 
finished  !'  In  great  haste  truly,  to  have  the  work 
finished. 

"  This  article  is  long  enough ;  but  we  must  be 
heard  further.  These  Doctors  accuse  us  denomi- 
nationally, of  high  crime  against  the  Church  of 
Christ.  We  have  given  credit  for  what  has  been 
done.     Now  let  us  see  what  has  not  been  done. 

"Well,  (1.)  The  Episcopacy  has  been  neithef 
abolished  nor  modified.  The  Board  ol  Bishops  is 
larger  now  than  ever  before.  And  they  still  pos- 
sess the  same  unlimited  power  over  the  time,  labors 
and  place  of  habitation  of  all  the  thousands  of 
their  ministers,  as  in  the  past.  (2.)  There  still 
exists  the  three  orders  in  their  ministry,  of  Deacon, 
Elder  and  Bishop ;  while  with  us  it  is  fundamental 
that  there  is  but  one  order — that  of  Elder — and 
that  all  Elders  are  equal.  (3.)  With  us  the  local 
Churches  are  independent  in  all  questions  of  merely 
local  interest.  Our  Churches  receive  and  disci- 
pline their  own  members — choose  their  own  pastors 
and  each  Class  elects  its  own  leader.  But  net  one 
of  these  rights  is  known  in  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  (4.)  With  us  the  pastoral  relation  is 
matter  of  mutual  agreement  between  pastor  and 
people.  And  even  the  congregations  of  the  Old 
Catholics  in  Germany  have  this  free  right  of  choice 
of  the  men  who  minister  to  them  in  things  holy; 
But  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal   Church  here   in 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  205 

Republican  America,  no  such  right  is  allowed !  In 
this  Church  neither  of  the  parties  most  directly  in- 
terested has  any  voice.  With  her,  twelve  men 
called  Bishops  absorb  this  sacred  right  of  all  the 
pastors  and  congregations  of  this  Church  of  more 
than  a  million.  (5.)  With  us  is  secured  by  disci- 
plinary provision,  the  rights  of  all  our  ministers 
and  members  irrespective  of  complexion  or  race ; 
and  while  by  Constitutional  amendment  a  similar 
equality  of  rights  is  secured  to  citizens  of  the 
United  States,  yet  up  to  this  date,  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  has  no  such  provision.  (6.)  In 
our  Yearly  Conferences  the  laity  have  an  equal 
voice  with  the  ministry.  But  lay  representation  is 
not  known  in  the  Annual  Conferences  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  (7.)  So  also  in  our 
General  Conference  is  equal  lay  representation. 
But  as  shown  above,  in  the  General  Conference  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  tliere  is  only  a 
kind  of  quasi  Quarterly  Conference  representation. 
In  affairs  of  Government  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  the  non-official  laity  are  a  nonentity. 
They  have  only  the  right  to  pay  and  to  pray. 

u  But  an  anti-scriptural  and  anti-llepublican  pol. 
ity  is  not  all.  All  through  this  and  other  countries 
savage  and  civilized,  is  a  Secret  Fraternity  laying 
high  claims  to  antiquity,  morality  and  religion.  In 
all  its  degrees  every  obligation  is  taken  with  an 
oath.  In  its  first  seven  degrees,  with  the  Holy 
Book,  which  says  '  swear  not  at  all,'  before  him  on 
the  altar  at  which  he  kneels,  blindfolded  and  cable" 


206  THE  LILE  OP 

towed,  each  candidate  takes  over  half  a  hundred 
distinct  oaths — this  going  on  each  week  in  thou- 
sands of  lodges — -no  marvel  that  profanity  abounds, 
and  that  l  because  of  swearing,  the  land  mourneth.' 
Monstrous  obligations  are  taken,  alike  inconsistent 
with  the  duties  of  the  citizen  and  the  precepts  of 
morality;  horrid  and  murderous  penalties  are  in- 
voked; such  as  having  the  throat  cut  across— the 
tongue  torn  out  by  the  roots — the  left  breast  torn 
open  and  the  heart  and  vitals  taken  thence — the 
body  severed  in  the  midst  and  the  bowels  burned 
to  ashes — tongue  split  from  tip  to  root— the  skull 
smote  off,  and-so-forth ;  thus  familiarizing  the 
mind  with  murder,  and  mutilation  horrible  to  con 
template.  And  what,  if  possible,  is  worse  than  all, 
this  motly  mixture  of  fact  and  fiction,  mummery 
and  murder,  profanity  and  prayer,  while  ignoring 
the  mediation  of  the  Blessed  Lord  and  Savior  in 
its  very  prayers,  yet  holds  out  a  false  light ;  prom- 
ising its  votaries  deliverance  from  sin  and  a  home 
in  the  *  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens.'  And  dreadful  to  contemplate,  while 
these  terrible  practices  are  prevalent  throughout 
the  land,  and  thousands  being  decoyed  into  these 
mystic  meshes,  not  only  are  the  pulpits  and  presses 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  silent  as  the 
grave  on  the  subject,  but  still  more  awful,  thou- 
sands of  her  ministers  and  members  statedly  wor- 
ship at  these  Christ-rejecting  altars  !  A  thousand 
times  no;  the  work  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
Connection  of  America  is  not  finished.     It  is  not 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  207 

'  dishonoring  to  God'  to  be  inflexibly  loyal  to  Jesus 
Christ;  and  the  arbitraments  of  eternity  will  so 
decide.  Let  others  do  as  they  will,  to  be  holy, 
we  must  warn  men  against  false  lights,  antag- 
onize all  sin,  and  be  loyal  to  Jesus  Christ,  We 
cannot  do  otherwise.     God  help  us." 

CHARACTER  AND  CHARACTERISTICS  OF 
REV.  A.  CROOKS. 

BY   REV.   L.    N.    STRATTON. 

The  image  of  Minerva,  towering  above  the  Par- 
thenon in  Athens,  and  the]  Sphynx,  which  looks 
inquisitively  over  the  unanswering  sand  plains  of 
Egypt,  were  coarsely  formed  images.  The  distant 
observer  deemed  them  cleanly  cut  and  smooth. 
But  it  is  said  that  close  inspection  revealed  in  them 
many  a  flaw  and  seam.  Children  at  play  with  a 
pocket  telescope  are  wont  to  place  the  large  end 
of  the  instrument  to  the  eye,  in  looking  at  coarse, 
uncomely  objects.  This,  it  is  observed,  gives  them 
a  fineness  of  form  and  finish  which  nature  itself 
has  failed  to  furnish.  So  is  it  with  some  men  j 
close  observation  is  detrimental  to  appreciation. 
But  turn  the  small  end  of  the  telescope  towards 
them,  and  "Distance  lends  enchantment  to  the 
view." 

Not  so  with  Adam  Crooks.  He  would  bear 
close  inspection.  He  appeared  well  at  a  distance, 
but  much  better  on  a  near  approach.  And  if  to 
any  he  seemed  distant,  it  was  only  in  that  seeming 


208  THE  LIFE    OF 

which  the  mind  instinctively  grants  to  manly  dig* 
nity  and  true  worth. 

His  nature  was  confiding,  and  bis  judgment  good ; 
so  that  multitudes  came  to  his  side,  both  for  couU" 
sel  and  consolation.  He  was  a  *\Lose  observer  of 
men  and  things.  He  read  character  as  a  man 
would  read  a  book.  And  though  he  came  to  his 
more  weighty  opinions  slowly,  when  he  did  reach 
them,  they  were  usually  correct.  This  Napoleonic 
habit  of  studying  characters,  methods,  facts  of  cur- 
rent history  and  events,  made  him  a  man  of  the 
living  present.  It  shaped  his  thought  in  instruc- 
tion ;  it  regulated  his  business  policy ;  it  aided 
his  opinions,  as  to  the  turn  which  national  and 
ecclesiastical  affairs  would  take,  and  which  opinions 
usually  proved  to  be  well  founded.  Although  by 
nature  he  was  a  student,  and  read  the  best  part  of 
the  best  books,  yet  of  him  it  might  be  said,  as  of 
Abraham  Lincoln :  "  He  read  not  many,  but  much." 
But  of  all  his  reading,  aside  from  God's  Word, 
with  the  utmost  care  he  "read  the  signs  of  the 
times."  This  made  him  a  wise  counselor  and  a 
careful  adviser.  He  never  leaped  at  conclusions. 
If  mists  were  too  thick  to  penetrate,  and  the  course 
improbable,  he  always  went  slowly  and  with  cau- 
tion. Had  he  been  a  General,  he  would  have  been 
a  hard  one  to  defeat.  He  would  not  be  drawn  into 
ambush,  nor  strike  a  strong  blow  at  a  shadow. 
Careful  and  prudent  to  find  the  position  of  the  ene- 
my, then  never  underestimating  his  strength,  those 
who  knew  him  would  look  for  a  stroke  of  masterly 


REN.  ADAM  CROOKS.  209 

power  which  would  sweep  everything  before  it. 
These  faculties  made  him  a  wise  and  successful 
leader. 

There  was  one  more  trait  of  character  which 
wove  the  web  of  his  career  with  sunshine.  That 
was  his  hope.  He  was  never  disheartened  at  a 
seeming  failure.  His  face  never  grew  long  and 
gloomy  over  a  seemingly  backward  turn  of  the 
wheel  of  fortune.  If  an  honest  effort  failed  of  its 
anticipated  results,  and  covered  other  souls  with 
clouds,  they  were  not  his.  Both  his  faith  and  better 
judgment  drove  them  away.  His  faith  said  :  "This 
is  God's  work  and  none  of  my  business,  only  I  am 
to  do  my  best  to  save  the  day."  And  his  reason 
said:  "Who  has  ever  undertaken  any  great  and 
good  enterprise  and  seen  it  flourish  from  the  first." 

li  The  noblest  plan  is,  when  we  fail, 
To  rise  and  try  again." 

This  formed  the  basis  upon  which  rested  that 
genial,  hopeful  trait  of  character  which  set  every 
true  heart  at  ease  in  his  presence.  No  such  man 
as  he  ever  sat  down  in  despair,  or  sold  out  at  half 
price,  or  sought  to  shift  his  pain  of  heart  to  his 
stomach  by  a  dose  of  stramonium  or  ratsbane. 
Such  a  man,  with  such  a  faith  and  such  a  hope  can 
never  be  a  coward,  or  commit  suicide.  Labor  was 
nothing,  pain  was  nothing,  long  midnight  rides  over 
rough  roads  and  through  drenching  rains,  were 
trifles  scarcely  worth  mentioning  the  next  day.  To 
mortal  fear  he  was  a  stranger ;  and  a  close  analysis 


210  THE   LIFE  OF 

of  his  mental  and  well  developed  physical  consti- 
tutions, makes  it  appear  as  less  a  wonder  why, 
Spartan-like,  he  had  so  little  regard  for  physical 
suffering,  and  seemed  fearless  of  death.  His  un- 
wavering Christian  hope,  founded  upon  an  abiding 
faith  in  Him  who  said : — "  I  will  never  leave  thee 
nor  forsake  thee,"  and  "All  things  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God,"  were  enough  for 
him.  He  knew  these  were  God's  words,  and  he 
depended  upon  them.  Current  events  and  transac- 
tions in  human  society  were  only  surface  incidents, 
liable  to  many  phases  and  changes,  while  God's 
word,  on  which  his  faith  was  founded,  was  more 
than  the  solid  rock  which  girdles  the  globe.  Hea- 
ven and  earth  shall  pass  away,  but  not  that  word. 
His  figure  was  straight,  and  stood  about  five  feet 
eleven  inches  high ;  his  weight  was  from  two  hun- 
dred and  five  to  two  hundred  and  twelve  pounds. 
His  eye  was  a  bluish  hazel,  and  his  hair,  by  age 
and  toil,  was  turned  to  an  iron-grey.  His  long, 
full  beard,  his  round,  full  face,  his  clear,  intelligent 
countenance  and  his  erect  and  manly  form,  left  the 
impression  upon  the  strangers  of  a  crowd,  or  the 
passengers  of  a  railway  train,  that  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  gifts  and  position  was  among  them. 
His  habits  were  steady,  his  methods  were  uniform, 
his  course  one  day,  or  in  one.  case  of  business  or 
advice,  all  things  being  equal,  suggested  what  it 
would  be  on  the  next  day  and  occasion.  So  he 
seldom  turned  up  in  unlooked  for  ways  and  places. 
He  was  not  moody.   .  He  did  not  do  things  "just  as 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  211 

it  happened."  People  would  not  say  of  him,  in  a 
case  which  he  was  to  decide : — "  It  will  be  just  as 
it  happens  to  strike  him."  He  decided  from  the 
law  and  the  testimony.  In  his  position,  it  is  won- 
derful how  many  questions  of  importance  there 
were  to  decide.  And  on  his  "Yes"  or  "No,'' 
turned  the  fate  of  ministers  and  Churches.  To 
him  this  was  a  great  care.  His  course  was  that  of 
a  conciliator.  His  efforts  "made  for  peace."  One 
of  the  last  things  he  did,  was  to  write  several  let- 
ters to  save  a  pastor  and  a  Church.  He  was  very 
anxious  for  both.  And  often  he  was  called  in  to 
aid  in  matters  which  others  should  have  done  for 
themselves,  without  taxing  his  physical  endurance 
to  its  utmost  limit.  But  people  found  him  a  frank 
and  genial  friend,  and  sought  his  advice  as  natu- 
rally as  they  would  that  of  an  elder  brother. 
And  he  made  them  feel  so  welcome  and  at  ease, 
giving  to  all  liberally  and  upbraiding  not,  that  it 
ceases  to  be  strange  that  so  many  sought  his 
counsel. 

He  never  sought  to  put  himself  ahead,  or  to  push 
himself  upon  public  attention.  He  did  not  need 
to.  His  natural  modesty  caused  him  to  desire  to 
be  unnoticed.  But  men  who  found  him  seeking 
seclusion  in  the  public  congregation,  called  him 
forth  to  take  a  place  and  part  at  the  front. 

His  voice  was  clear  and  deep.  Few  men  could 
be  so  well  heard  and  understood.  He  filled  the 
remotest  point  of  the  most  spacious  halls  with  his 
clear  and  measured  utterances.     His  thought  usu- 


212  THE  LIFE  OF 

ally  was  very  methodical.  His  speeches  and  ser- 
mons were  cumulative.  His  texts  were  his  sermons 
in  a  nutshell^  and  his  sermons  were  only  about 
their  texts  and  their  natural  corollaries  and  ad- 
juncts. His  texts  were  always  revealed  to  him. 
He  did  not  reason  them  out  from  the  apparent 
needs,  as  some  of  us  do,  but  he  had  depended  from 
the  early  times  in  his  ministry  upon  receiving  by 
some  sudden  impression,  his  text.  He  studied  his 
sermons  thoroughly,  and  usually  noted  their  heads 
on  slips  of  paper,  which  he  placed  in  a  long  pock, 
et-book  in  his  side  pocket,  ready  for  use. 

With  care  he  wrote  his  articles  for  the  press. 
As  there  has  never  been  a  skillful  master  of  any  of 
the  fine  arts  who  leaped  from  the  bottom  to  the  top 
round  of  the  ladder  at  a  single  bound,  but  has 
toiled  through  patient  and  steady  effort  to  climb 
round  by  round,  so  the  most  successful  writers  have 
gained  their  eminence  by  care  and  toil.  His  friends 
and  readers  know  how  closely  and  clearly  every 
thing  he  wrote  was  written.  Lest  all  might  not 
easily  follow  the  long  steps  he  found  it  so  easy  to 
make,  I  have  seen  him  lay  aside  sheet  after  sheet 
of  well  written  manuscript,  and  write  it  again  and 
again.  Oh,  could  his  readers  have  known  the  cost 
to  him  of  brawn  and  brain  and  life-forces,  they 
would  have  read  what  he  wrote  with  even  more 
solicitude.  Not  that  it  was  difficult  for  him  to 
write,  but  in  what  he  wrote  he  was  so  pains-taking 
that  when  it  was  done,  it  was  finished,  and  like 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  218 

Gray's  " Elegy,"  few  persons  could  suggest  an  im- 
provement in  any  particular, 

Perfection  was  his  aim  in  all  respects.  It  was 
seen  in  his  neat  dress ;  in  his  deportment  at  the 
fireside  and  the  table;  in  his  salutation  of  his 
friends;  in  short,  in  tongue  and  pen,  in  public  and 
private,  in  moral  position  and  spiritual  life,  his  aim 
was  perfection.  And  while  he  enjoyed  the  sweets 
of  a  Christian  life,  it  expressed  itself,  as  in  many 
other  cases,  in  his  lively,  pleasant  countenance. 
He  was  not  a  sad,  gloomy,  sorrowful,  long-faced 
Christian.  He  lived  above  the  clouds,  in  the  sun- 
shine, and  like  the  parent  eagle  he  sought  to  lead 
and  lure  others  there.  At  times  his  quiet  humor, 
and  cheerful,  playful  words,  sent  glintings  of  sun- 
shine down  through  many  a  chasm  of  gloom  and 
cloud,  to  light  up  many  a  heart. 

He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  superintendence  of 
a  Divine  Providence  over  the  minuiise  of  life.  His 
personal  history  was  full  of  incidents  which  proved 
his  faith,  and  exhibited  his  trust.  He  transferred 
this  same  confidence  from  himself  to  the  denomina- 
tion which  he  served  so  faithfully  and  well.  He 
believed  that  God  had  an  especial  use  yet  for  Wes- 
leyan  Methodists.  And  as  an  agent  of  the  will  of 
Heaven,  he  sought  with  an  unfaltering  faith  and 
fortitude  to  perfect  the  workings  of  the  denomina- 
tion. And  as  his  labors  drew  to  a  close,  he  was 
firmly  of  the  opinion  that  the  true  power  of  the 
Church,  and  the  agencies  at  its  command  were  ad- 
vancing.    A  few  days  before  his  death  he  said  : — 


214  THE  LIFE  OP 

"Brother  Stratton,  I  feel  greatly  encouraged  by  our 
denominational  prospects.  The  Conferences  which 
I  attended  last  Fall  manifested  such  faith  and  zeal; 
and  gave  such  evidences  of  a  love  of  hard  work 
as  I  never  saw  before  among  them.  Ministers  are 
better  supported,  both  in  finances  and  influence  in 
the  communities  where  they  are  located.  Then, 
there  are  so  many  able,  efficient  young  men  coming 
on,  who  within  five  years  will  be  capable  of  filling 
any  position  in  the  gift  of  the  Connection,  that  I 
feel  more  encouraged  than  at  any  other  time  for 
the  past  ten  years.  While  lying  sick  in  Iowa,  I 
looked  over  the  ground  carefully,  and  I  thought  and 
said  to  my  attendants,  that  never  in  my  entire  life  had 
I  seen  a  time,  when,  if  it  pleased  God  to  take  me,  that 
1  could  be  so  well  spared  as  now" 

An  incident  transpired  while  on  his  way  from 
his  sick  bed  in  Iowa  to  Wasioja,  the  seat  of  the 
Minnesota  Conference,  He  had  been  sick  at  the 
Michigan,  Illinois  and  Iowa  Conferences,  with  a 
run  of  Typhoid  Fever,  At  the  seat  of  the  latter 
he  remained,  confined  in  his  sick  room,  and  a  part 
of  the  time  delirious,  while  Bro.  D.  F.  Shepardson 
attended  for  him  the  Kansas  Conference.  This 
over  and  he  arose  from  his  sick  bed,  and  unattend- 
ed, cheerfully  and  hopefully  started  for  Minnesota. 
The  cross-roads  are  usually  unsteady  and  irregular, 
At  one  point  he  found  that  the  regular  train  had 
gone,  and  he  must  wait  twelve  or  fifteen  hours  for 
the  next  run,  and  then  ride  through  the  cheerless 
hours  of  a  chilly  night:     There  was  a  freight  train , 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  215 

With  a  wretched  "caboose"  in  the  rear,  going  out 
in  a  tew  minutes.  He  could  scarcely  think  it  pru- 
dent to  expose  himself  to  the  constant  draft  of 
such  a  car.  He  prayed  God  to  help  him.  The  con- 
ductor came  around.  He  told  this  official  who  he 
was,  and  the  importance  of  his  business,  and  that 
he  scarcely  felt  able  to  ride  in  that  car,  else  he 
cheerfully  would.  The  Conductor  reported  the 
matter  to  the  General  Superintendent,  who  was  at 
hand.  A  special  car,  with  a  neat  state-room,  was 
immediately  attached,  and  a  beautiful  bed  made  up 
of  high-piled  hair  cushions  and  ample  coverings. 
He  was  aided  into  it,  and  said  he  slept  like  an  in- 
fant for  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  He  believed 
it  to  be  a  special  providence  of  his  ever-loving 
Father  in  Heaven,  who  notes  the  fall  of  a  sparrow 
and  hears  the  young  raven's  cry. 

His  health  never  appeared  better  than  during  the 
Summer  prior  to  the  last  visits  he  made  to  the  Fall 
Conferences.  How  clearly  do  I  seem  to  see  him, 
with  a  clear  and  somewhat  florid  countenance,  sit- 
ting at  his  accustomed  desk !  How  intelligent  his 
countenance,  how  kind  his  expressions,  how  prom- 
ising his  prospects,  how  bright  his  hopes  !  After 
he  had  departed  from  his  accustomed  place,  which 
it  seemed  that  he  might  yet  fill  for  years,  in  our 
issue  of  the  American  Wesleyan,  August  19th, 
1874,  we  published  the  following: — 
PERSONAL. 

"  Eev.   A.    Crooks,    whose    cheeful  face    and    friendly 
words  we  miss,  has  left  his  busy   financial  desk  for  a  tour 


216  THE  LIFE  OP 

of  the  Western  Conferences,  to  be  gone  about  three  months, 
Although  he  is  to  spend  but  a  little  time  in  each  place,  so 
extended  will  be  his  tour,  it  will  require  many  oppressive 
days  and  cheerless  night-rides  to  accomplish  the  journey. 
Though  mid  summer  is  decorating  our  valleys  now,  the 
sere  and  yellow  leaf'  will  rustle  to  the  tread,  and  from 
murky  skies  may  form  and  fall  the  snow  ere  his  return. 
These  columns  need  not  commend  him  and  the  important 
enterprises  he  represents  to  the  favorable  consideration  of 
the  brethren  to  whom  he  as  God's  servant  once  more 
comes.  Soon  agent  and  actors  will  take  their  last  journey, 
do  their  last  duty,  and  pass  up  to  tl  e  auditing  rooms  of  the 
Eternal  Judge.  For  the  golden  bowl  at  last  is  broken, 
and  the  pitcher  carried  often  to  the  fountain  at  length  re- 
turns no  more.  We  believe  the  lesson  these  facts  teach 
will  be  heeded  by  us  all." 

It  seemed  almost  prophetic.  The  feeling  whicb 
prompted  the  expression  was  perhaps  the  out- 
growth of  that  sad  uncertainty  which  lies  just  be- 
hind the  dim  veil  of  futurity.  Then,  too,  the 
dangers  and  exposures  intensified  the  thought,  and 
that  this  like  other  earthly  things  must  end.  Well, 
so  it  proved.  He  attended  two  dedications  after 
the  Conferences,  and  then,  amid  the  chill  and  gloom 
of  late  October's  dripping,  he  returned.  A  car- 
riage brought  him  from  the  depot,  first  to  the  office 
and  then  to  his  home.  Home  had  always  been 
secondary  to  the  office,  and  so  was  it  still.  In  the 
next  issue  of  the  American  Wesley  an  we  gave 
him  mention  in  the  following  personal : — 
PERSONAL. 

u  Rev.  A.  Crooks,  whose  labors,  successes,  sickness 
and  return  have  been  duly  noticed  by  our  citv  papers  and 
a  multitude  of  his  friends,  has    been    at    home  since  Tues- 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  217 

<~lay,  October  27th..  He  claims  to  be  much  better,  and  no 
doubt  is  ;  but  he  is  coming  up  very  slowly.  He  has  been 
on  the  street  a  few  times,  and  appeared,  the  ghost  of  his 
former  self,  at  the  office  perhaps  thrice  since  his  return. 
He  has  lost  thirty  pounds  from  his  two  hundred  and  ten, 
and  his  physical  strength  has  turned  to  the  weakness  of  a 
child.  His  eyes  seem  large,  his  voice  hollow,  and  his  step 
unsteady.  But  his  mind  is  clear,  his  thoughts  active,  and 
his  soul  growing  brighter  and  more  serene  as  he  arises 
from  the  clouds  and  smoke  of  the  battle  toward  the  bliss 
of  the  everlasting  gates.  We  do  not  believe  that  the  Lord 
is  about  to  take  him  home  now,  but  only  intends  to  show 
him  both  worlds  from  a  point  between  ;  a  point  where 
the  true  value  of  the  two  appears  more  nearly  correct  than 
is  usually  manifest.  May  prayers  still  go  up  in  clouds  to 
Heaven's  windows  for  him. 

We  have  attempted  to  show  why  he  thought 
himself  in  no  danger.  I  seemed  to  see  him  on  the 
verge  of  a  chasm,  invisible  to  himself,  and  over 
which  it  appeared  to  me  there  was  great  danger  of 
his  falling.  But  so  Spartan-like  and  heroic,  so 
dead  to  pain  and  careless  of  toil  was  he,  that  he 
had  no  fear  of  death.  And  when  at  length  I  wrote, 
"Adam  Crooks  is  Dead,"  this  hand  never  penned 
so  sad  a  sentence,  nor  this  heart  felt  so  deep  a 
pang.  Not  only  was  it  for  our  own  sakes  who 
were  here,  and  would  feel  his  loss  the  most,  but 
everywhere  among  our  people,  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific,  we  knew  a  sad  wail  would  go  up  to 
the  gates  of  Heaven.  Blinding  tears  fell  upon  the 
blackened  columns  of  the  American  Wesleyan,  in 
mourning,  and  many  laid  it  aside  for  a  time,  not 
daring  to  risk  their  fluttering,  almost  murmuring 
10 


%1$  THE     LIFE  OF 

hearts,  to  open  it.  From  twenty  to  thirty  thousand 
people  knew  him  well  and  loved  him  much.  He 
Was  humanity's  well-tried  friend. 

His  faithful  and  deyoted  wife  bears  with  patience 
and  Christian  resignation  her  loss.  She  seems  to 
see  him,  not  in  the  silent  grave,  but  in  a  Christian's 
Paradise.  She  cannot,  does  not  wish  him  back* 
And  why  should  she?  His  battle  is  fought,  his 
crown  is  gained,  and  he  has  entered  into  rest. 
From  the  clangor  of  arms  and  the  rush  of  battle, 
he  entered  an  open  sesame  at  the  side  of  the  way, 
and  stepped  through  into  glory.  Among  the  last 
sane  words  he  spoke  to  me,  he  said : — "  My  soul 
has  been  riding  all  night  in  a  chariot  of  fire."  Yes, 
for  but  a  little  time  the  angel  charioteer  let  him 
step  out  again.  Then,  when  the  Master  wanted 
him,  he  did  not  let  him  suffer  long — dragging  slowly 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death — but  he 
sent  his  swift  coursers  again.  Our  brother  seemed 
to  see  them  coming,  and  exclaimed  to  his  wife  : — - 
"  Quick !  Be  quick  1"  He  kissed  her  hastily,  spoke 
of  the  "rest  beyond  the  skies,"  and  before  there 
was  time  to  realize  the  danger,  the  angel  whipped 
back  through  "the  dark  valley,"  and  entered,  with 
his  prize,  into  the  eternal  morning. 

We  gladly  let  him  rest.  No  winds  can  chill 
him  there.  No  fevers  fret  his  flesh.  No  earth-born 
hopes  inspire  new  activities,  and  no  earthly  morn- 
ing will  call  him  to  the  front  again. 

"  Servant  of  God  I  well  done  ! 
Re3t  from  thy  loved  employ  '7 


litiV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  219 

The  battle  fought,  the  victory  won,— 
Enter  thy  Master's  joy. 

"  In  condescending  love, 

Thy  ceaseless  prayer  he  heard, 
And  bade  thee  suddenly  remove 
"  To  thy  complete  reward. 

"The  pains  ot  death  are  past,— 

Labor  and  sorrow  cease  ; 
And  life's  long  warfare  closed  at  last, 

Thy  soul  was  found  in  peace. 

"  Redeemed  from  earth  and  pain, 

Oh,  may  we  all  ascend  ! 
And  there  in  Jesus'  presence  reign, 

With  our  translated  friend." 

HOME  LIFE. 

For  nearly  twenty-two  years  the  Lord  permitted 
me  to  walk  beside  one  of  his  own  faithful  servants- 
He  was  my  all  of  earthly  home,  and  my  heart  safe- 
ly trusted  in  him.  He  was  firm  as  the  "  everlast- 
ing hills"  where  right  or  wrong  was  concerned  j  yet 
kind  always — careful  of  the  comfort — -tender  of 
the  feelings — and  reciprocal  in  his  affections.  He 
often  said,  "  Home  is  the  dearest  spot  on  earth  to 
me j"  yet  where  duty  called  him  away,  he  was  quick 
to  obey,  and  while  duty  held  him,  he  was  content. 
At  times  I  seem  to  hear  him  saying  now,  as  so  of- 
ten in  the  past  he  has  said,  "  We'll  make  our  home 
a  little  heaven,  where  we  can  be  quiet  and  rest  af- 
ter the  battles  of  the  day  are  all  over;  but  we 
must  be  sure  and  not  make  unto  us  anv  idols.     I 


220  THE  LIFE  OF 

believe  God  and  His  cause  are  first  in  my  heart, 
and  you  are  next  to  those"    .For  years  I  tried  con- 
scientiously to  submit  patiently  to  his  long  and  oft 
repeated  absences,  knowing  that  he  went  from  his 
home  because  duty  led  him,  yet  all  the  time  feeling 
that  it  was  a  hardship — that  I  had  to  sacrifice  so 
much,  for  my  home  was  very  lonely  without  him. 
He  was  so  rejoiced  when  I  could  say,  I  will,  and 
do,  let  you  go  for  Jesus'  sake— I  will  stay  alone, 
when  the  cause  of  God  requires  you,  and  do  it 
cheerfully,  as  unto  the  Lord.     His  eye  was  surely 
"  single"  to  the  glory  of  God.     When  any  measure 
was  proposed,  his  first  thought  was,  how  will  it  af- 
fect the  work,  and  no  difference  how  hard  the  re- 
quirement, he  always  forgot  self,  and  self  inter- 
ests.    He  was  always  cheerful,  and  hopeful.      If 
any  clouds  arose  he  always  said  "  let  us  get  into 
the    sunshine."      With  all  his    cares,    and    while 
pressed  down  with  such  a  weight  of  anxieties,  he 
never  gave  place  to  fretfulness,  for  his    mind  was 
stayed  on  One  of  whom  it  is  said  "  Thou  wilt  keep 
him  in  perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee, 
because  he  trusted  in  thee." 

In  looking  back  over  all  those  years  in  which  I 
have  been  so  securely  sheltered  by  his  love,  and 
through  which  we  have  tried  hand  in  hand  to 
walk  in  the  way  the  Lord  has  led  us,  I  can  say, 
Ci  surely  goodness  and  mercy  have  followed  us," 
and  although  our  trials  and  conflicts  at  the  time 
'•  seemed  grievous,"  yet  I  now  count  it  all  joy  that, 
I  was  privileged  to  labor  and  suffer  with  him  for 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  221 

the  Master  here,  and  that  through  Christ  I  hope  to 
share  the  Christian's  rest  with  him  in  heaven. 

I  will  give  extracts  from  some  of  his  letters  to 
myself.  Several  of  these  were  written  before  our 
marriage,  and  the  remainder  after  the  lapse  of 
years. 

Medina,  Ohio,  Nov.  10,  1852. 

"  Dear  Elizabeth  : — 

This  is  my  eighth  year  in  the  traveling  ministry,  four 
years  of  which  were  spent  in  the  South.  It  is  highly  pre- 
sumable I  shall  live  and  die  a  "  preacher  of  the  Gospel.'7 
My  principal  business  will  then  be  to  save  souls.  The  of- 
fice is  an  awfully  responsible  one,  and  its  duties  are  ar- 
duous. Nor  is  it  desirable  to  be  the  wife  of  a  minister. 
This  position  too,  is  a  responsible  and  laborious  one.  Not 
the  position  for  a  pleasure -seeker,  or  the  lover  of  honor, 
ease  or  fashion.  For  it,  such  have  no  taste;  in  it  they  can 
take  no  pleasure.  But  I  will  say  on  the  other  hand,  if  the 
heart  is  in  the  work,  if  the  soul  sympathizes  with  the  Sa- 
vior, notwithstanding  all  its  responsibilities,  labors,  and 
pressiug  cares,  it  is  a  rich  moral  luxury  to  live  and  work 
in  this  glorious  God-like  cause — that  of  saviug  mankind." 

Another  time  he  said  to  me,  "I  expect  always  to  be  a 
Wesleyan  Methodist  minister.  As  long  as  I  live,  I  intend 
to  be  in  the  active  work.  I  cannot  give  you  gold,  nor 
promise  you  a  permanent  home.  We  shall  be  wayfarers — 
we  must  be  ready  to  follow  wherever  duty  leads  us.  But 
if  we  love  God,  and  each  other  we  may  be  very  happy." 

Medina,  Ohio,  March  8,  1853. 

*•'  Dear  Elizabeth  : — 

Yesterday,  after  riding  thirty  miles  through  mud  and 
mortar,  over  hill  and  dale,  I  had  the  exquisite  satisfaction 
of  finding  your  excellent  epistle  awaiting  my  arrival. 
And  as  I  have  many  other  things  to  write,  I  shall  leave 
you  to  conjecture  how  well  I  was  pleased  with  its   con- 


222  THE  LIFE  OF 

tents.  Yes :  and  ere  my  heart  had  ceased  to  throb  with 
joy,  and  as  I  was  thinking  of  an  answer  to-day,  behold! 
another  swift  winged  angel  of  good,  dropped  another 
sheet  well  filled  with  words  of  comfort — words  which  warm 
the  heart,  fire  the  soul,  swell  the  bosom,  light  up  the  eye, 
radiate  the  countenance  with  sentiments  of  delight.  I  am 
satisfied,  that  as  hunger  prepares  to  enjoy  food — sickness 
to  appreciate  health — fatigue  to  enjoy  repose — so  do  the 
frowns  and  threats  of  foes  prepare  the  heart  to  gladden 
and  glow  at  the  smiles  and  warm  words  of  true  friends.  I 
leave  you  to  make  the  application. 

I  thank  God  on  your  behalf,  that  Our  Father,  how  sweet 
the  name,  vouchsafes  his  rich  blessings  to  cheer  your 
heart,  and  inspire  the  still  firmer  resolve  to  be  his  and  al- 
ways his.  Sometimes  I  fear  I  have  an  idol,  and  that  if 
required  to  give  thee  up  for  Christ's  sake,  I  would  be  slow 
to  make  the  sacrifice.  I  want  to,  aye,  I  do  love  you  most 
dearly,  but  I  would  not  love  you  more  than  I  as  a  Chris- 
tian ought.  You  beautifully  express  the  feelings  of  my 
heart  "  that  we  should  first  live  for  God  and  then  for  each 
other."  If  we  do  this,  we  shall  be  happy.  I  hope  I  may 
ever  prove  worthy  the  confidence  you  have  reposed  in,  and 
affection  lavished  upon  me.  Could  I  be  so  base  as  to  win 
a  heart  as  pure  as  thine,  and  take  it  from  its  girlhood 
home  out  upon  the  rough  sea  of  life — the  tempest-tossed 
ocean  of  time — and  then  prove  unfaithful,  I  surely  would 
most  richly  merit  the  righteous  retributions  of  God  j — I 
should  expect  them.  Well  do  I  know,  and  glad  I  am  it  is 
so,  that  I  cannot  make  you  unhappy  without  rendering 
myself  miserable.  The  reverse  is  no  less  true.  To  make 
you  happy  is  to  bless  myself.  God  knows  it  is  my  pur- 
pose to  live  so  as  to  enjoy  his  approving  smile." 

x  Medina,  Ohio,  April  6,  1853. 

"  Dear  Elizabeth  :— 

Your  birthday  favor  canio  to  hand  yesterday.  Lan- 
guage is  too  weak  to  tell  with  how  much  interest  and  pleas- 
ure 1  perused  its  rich  lines.     I  incline  to  the  opinion  how- 


HEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  223 

ever  that  your  feelings  were  very  varied — not  unmiugled 
with  sadness.  But  how  could  it  he  otherwise  ? — and,  indeed, 
there  are  times  when  I  love  to  ho  a  little  sad.  It  seems  to 
mend  the  heart.  You  are  about  to  hid  adieu  to  scenes 
Around  which  the  tendrils  of  your  geuerous  affections  have 
twisted  and  tied — to  leave  friends  tried  aud  true,  and  aa 
occupation  in  which  your  heart  has  been  enlisted  for  years, 
a  calling  of  which  good  angels  might  bo  proud — carv- 
ing ineffaceable  hieroglyphics  upon  the  imperishable  gran- 
ite of  the  eternity  expanding  intellect!  Writing  epitaphs 
which  will  be  read  by  the  light  of  the  judgment'  As  an 
artist  taking  likenesses,  which  I  trust  will  shine  in  the 
beauty  of  unfading  youth,  and  glory  of  undying  day  !  Who 
would  envy  a  heart  whieh  unmoved  .could  leave  such  a 
work!  Not  I.  Your  school  days  over!  Nay  verily. 
They  have  scarce  begun.  Life  is  a  university  of  experi- 
ence. And  here  we  are  only  in  the  primary  department, 
lu  the  vestibule  taking  some  preparatory  lessons,  previous 
to  entering  upon  the  enrapturing  investigation  of  the  sci- 
ence of  Universal  Being.  What  boundless  fields  of  glori- 
ous discovery  are  before  us;  what  limitless  regions  of 
knowledge  are  urging  the  eager  mind  onward — onward 
still,  and  ever  onward!  Cease  to  learn — eease  to  do— 
eease  to  be  happy — never.  That  change  will  eome — dis- 
appointment aud  discouragement  to  be  met,  without 
doubt ;  but  they  too  are  teachers,  good  teachers  in  this 
great  school  of  experience." 

West  Chazx",  May  1,  1873. 

"  Dear  Wife  : — 

"  It  is  too  bad,  but  this  is  the  very  best  I  ean  do.  I  had 
•no  thought  of  any  such  tiring  until  it  was  too  late;  mail 
went  out  this  morning  at  six  o'clock  and  I  cannot  send  a 
letter  until  to-morrow  the  same  hour,  so  that  you  will  not 
get  this  until  Saturday  ;  yet  this  is  atoned  for  to  some  ex- 
tent from  the  fact  that  you  will  get  it  the  anniversary  of 
our  marriage. 

Twenty  years  will  have  passed:  0,  how  time  flies!  But 


224  THE  LILF,  OF 

thank  God,  our  marriage  is  not  the  '  grave  of  love/  a$ 
some  modern  Reformers  would  style  it — The  sun  of  love 
shines  much  more  brightly  on  us  to-day  than  twenty  years 
ago.  How  mueh  better  thus  to  '  wear  in  than  wear  out/ 
So  may  it  ever  be.  Young  folks  think  they  know  some- 
thing of  love,  and  so  they  do ;  but  there  is  large  margin 
for  it  to  grow  and  ripen.  Where  shall  we  be  twenty  years 
from  thisf  If  living  we  shall  be  among  the  old  folks.  I 
sixty-nine,  and  you  sixty-one  or  two;  but  mayhap  one  or 
both  of  us  may  be  in  Heaven.  In  all  this,  the  will  of  the- 
Lord  be  done.  Yet  it  is  a  fact,  that  the  longer  I  live  the 
more  Hove  to  live  j  not  that  I  hold  on  to  the  thing  of  liv- 
ing here  with  greater  tenacity,  but  more  and  more  I  love 
to  labor  for  God  and-  the  good  of  others.  For  this,  I 
should  be  willing  to  live  a  thousand  years ;  aside  from 
this,  liire  to  me  would  lose  the  lustre  of  its  grandest  signifi- 
cance. It  amounts  to  this.  The  more  we  ripen  up  into 
the  spirit  of  Jesus,  the  more  we  love  to  work  for  Him. 

But  I  must  stop  writing,  or  I  shall  not  get  this  into  the1 
mail  for  to-morrow  morning,  and  that  I  must  do  without 
fail.  Well,  I  shall  think  of  thee  often  Saturday.  We  will 
not  be  separated  in  thought,  and  in  our  consecrations,  in- 
cur hearts;  we  can  be  re- wed  though  thus  remote.  '  Hav- 
ing many  things  to  write  unto  you,  I  would  not  write  with 
pen  and  ink ;  but  I  trust  to  come  unto  you,  and  speak 
*  face  to  face,  that  our  joy  may  be  full.7  Peace  be  to  thee. 
Greet  the  friends  by  name  J     Ever  lovingly  yours." 

1873. 

"Dear  Wife: — 

We  are  having  an  excellent  meeting.  I  wish  you  were 
here.  I  trust  the  good  Lord  is  preciously  near  with  you  at 
home  —that  evfry  meal  is  a  sacrament — that  you  have  mo- 
mentary communion  with  God.  Hope  you  are  well  and 
happy.  I  fancy  I  see  you  in  your  cosy  home,  while  I  am 
a  pilgrim."  '  Rejoice  evermore.7  l  Pray  without  ceasing." 
'  In  all  things  give  thanks.77 


BEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  225 

1873. 

11  Dear  Wife  : — 

This  is  a  real  bright  morning.  Hope  it  is  with  thee, 
both  external  and  internal.  Well,  there  is  not  much  in  this 
letter,  but  from  it  you  may  learn  that  I  think  of  you  right 
early  in  the  morning.  Be  sure  and  keep  the  'City  in  view,' 
and  '  keep  step  with  the  Captain.'  Love  to  all.  Pray  for 
me.  A  few  days  and  I  will  be  at  home,  the  Lord  willing.  I 
will  keep  him  in  perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
me.'7 

Aug.  29,  1873. 

"  Dear  Wife  :— 

Both  of  your  good  letters  are  received.  I  read  with 
tearful  joy  the  victory  you  have  gained,  to  endure  hardness 
cheerfully  for  Jesus'  sake.  What  a  blessed  victory.  God 
be  praised,  I  am  trying  to  live  on  the  mountain  top  of 
communion  with  God,  and  often  feel  that  I  am  prayed  for 
at  home.  The  Lord  give  us  glorious  victory.  Surely  He 
will.  '  All  things  work  together  for  good  to  those  who 
love  God.'  '  Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  glory' — What  a 
wonderful  blessing  to  have  '  Christ  in  us.'  His  pure  lov- 
ing spirit.  Fare  thee  well  till  we  meet  again.  Ever  faith- 
fully and  lovingly." 

Sept.   II,  1873. 

"Dear  Wife  :  — 

I  have  just  come  up  out  of  Indiana— struck  the  M.  S. 
R.  R.  here  at  Jonesville,  fifteen  miles  from  Coldwater, 
Have  to  wait  for  the  train,  so  I  write  you.  I  shall  expect 
to  get  a  letter  from  you  at  Coldwater ;  then  I  will  finish 
up  this.  I  had  to  travel  on  a  cross  track  yesterday  up  out 
of  Indiana — an  inferior  affair  ;  so  about  feeven  o'clock  last 
eve  it  stopped  and  put  up  for  the  night.  This  was  a  new 
experience  since  I  came  from  the  South.  There  I  was  a 
whole  day  traveling  some  sixty  miles,  and  then  put  up  for« 
the  night;  that  was  twenty-five  years  ago.  Last  night  I 
improved  the  time.  I  wrote  till  a  late  hour— retired— had 
10* 


226  THE   LIFE    OF 

a  refreshing  sleep — woke  up  feeling  quite  wakeful—arose 
and  wrote  two  or  three  hours,  finishing  up  my  account  of 
the  Conference.  Thank  God  thus  far,  my  health  has  been 
very  good.  Oh,  how  different  from  last  year  !  Yours  of 
the  7th  received.  So  glad  you  are  contented  to  suffer  for 
Jesus.  It  makes  you  so  much  dearer  to  me.  All  well. 
Fare  thee  well.  Love  and  blessing  to  you  and  all.  Faith- 
fully thine  husband.77 

Oct.  4,  1873. 
"  Dear  Wife  : — 

Yours  of  the  29th  ult^  is  received.  Oh,  it  don't  seem  so 
far  to  Kansas  when  you  once  get  there  !  It  requires  only 
four  days  for  a  letter  to  come.  I  like  the  Kansas  brethren 
very  much.  They  seem  like  a  noble  band  of  self-sacrific- 
ing moral  heroes.  Six  have  joined  the  Conference  this 
session.  This  Conference  is  alive  and  wide  awake.  I  lit- 
tle thought  of  meeting  persons  I  had  met  before  J  yet  here 
are  a  brother  and  sister  Foster  who  lived  a  few  miles  from 
my  native  town  and  a  brother  Hosford,  whom  I  knew 
twenty-eight  years  ago.  Three  weeks  will  soon  speed  by. 
You  must,  not  allow  yourself  to  feel  lonely.  Especially 
you  must  not  repine.  When  you  feel  so  inclined,  go  to 
Jesus.  He  is  the  best  of  company.  I  write  on  this  paper 
because  the  other  is  all  used  up.  I  write  by  lamplight, 
and  the  family  is  not  up  yet;  will  get  this  mailed  to-day 
if  possible.  Best  love  and  blessing  to  you  and  all.  God  is 
love.  Love  one  another.7  '  Love  fulfills  the  law.7  For- 
ever yours  in  love.77 

Kansas,  Oct.  7,  1873. 

"  Dear  Wife  :— 

Here  I  am  among  my  relations — at  a  cousin's — Was  at 
Bro.  Henry's  to-day — assisted  him  in  raising  his  house. 
We  all  go  to  Robert's  in  Kansas  City  this  eve.  Henry  and 
w]fe,  Robert  and  wife,  cousin  Thomas  and  wife  will  all  be 
there,  but  near  fifteen  hundred  miles  intervene  between 
us.     If  you  were  only  here !     I  have  thought  much  of  thee 


HEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  227 

to-day— especially  because  I  have  been  visiting.  If  I  only 
had  wings,  or  could  take  cars  drawn  by  lightning,  would  I 
not  see  you  this  very  night  %  But  time  is  on  the  wiag;  only 
a  few  days  more  and  then  I  can  go  to  stay  sometime  worth 
while.  Hope  you  are  well  and  ever  so  happy.  Let  me 
see  !  You  will  get  this  about  Saturday.  Then  only  two 
weeks  more.  Bless  me!  Busy  thought  can  bring  us  side 
by  side,  and  we  can  have  many  a  visit  between  this  and 
then.  My  health  continues  as  usual.  God  be  praised.  I 
shall  hope  to  hear  from  you  at  Wasioja .  I  have  a  long 
ride  night  and  day  before  me.  The  weather  is  beautiful 
here.  Fare  thee  welL  u  Keep  your  heart  in  the  love  of 
God." 

Oct.  17,  1873. 

"  Dear  Wife  : — 

Your  good  letter  of  the  ^th  not  received  until  yester- 
day—I began  to  feel  hungry  to  hear  from  you.  Your  letters 
have  so  much  better  riug  to  them,  than  of  yore.  You  have 
gotten  into  a  better  land  than  that  in  which  you  used  to 
live ;  I  know  not  how  sufficiently  to  praise  God.  With  you, 
I  hope  you  may  be  kept  there  forever.  How  did  you  come 
to  say  you  hoped  there  would  be  but  one  Sabbath  more 
for  you  to  be  alone,  if  it  is  the  Lord's  will?  How  did  you 
come  to  put  that  in  ?  Well,  it  so  happens  that  I  have  to 
turn  about  at  Pittsford,  Michigan,  and  go  away  back  to 
Oshkosh,  Wisconsin,  and  dedicate  a  church.  They  had 
posters  printed  and  all  the  arrangements  made  aud  I  knew 
nothing  of  it  until  I  come  here.  Letters  had  been  written, 
but  I  did  not  get  them.  It  is  a  great  thing  to  pray  from 
the  heart  the  Lord's  prayer — '  Thy  will  bo  done.'  And  it 
is  a  blessed  thing  to  realize  f  My  grace  is  sufficient.' — This 
is  a  possible  experience  and  one  we  all  need.  Still  beau- 
tiful weather.  A  good  session  of  Conference  thus  far.  I 
have  to  dedicate  the  church  in  which  Conference  is  held, 
on  Sabbath — then  three  more  that  week,  making  four 
churches  in  eight  days — Then  in  a  month  or  so  come  back 
to  Iowa  to  dedicate  another.     This  looks  some  like  pros- 


228  THE  LIFE  OF 

perity  ;  God  be  praised — Glad  God  is  reviving  his  wotfe  in? 
Syracuse.  May  the  time  of  captivity  there  be  ended  speed- 
ily. I  am  sure  God  is  hearing  prayer.  '  Great  peace  have 
they  that  love  thy  law,  and  nothing  shall  offend  them/ 
1  In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation,  hut  in  me  ye  have 
peace.7  'Peace  be  unto  you.  My  peace  I  give  unto  you* 
Not  as  the  world  giveth,  give  I  unto  you  Peaee  like  a 
river,  and  righteousness  like  the  waves  of  the  sea.'  How 
blessed  to  daily  and  hourly  commune  with  our  Saviour 
consciously.  But  remember  still  there  are  heights  beyond. 
Let  us,  '  Forgetting  the  things  behind  and  reaching  to 
those  before,  press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  our 
high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.7 

LETTER  WEITING. 
His  letter  writing  while  at  home  was  no  small 
tax  upon  his  time  and  sympathies.  Many  of  his 
hours  were  spent  in  writing  the  absent.  Encour- 
aging those  who  needed  encouragement.  Sympa- 
thizing with  those  in  sorrow,  reproving  in  love, 
those  who  needed  reproof,  and  in  even  so  small  a 
denomination  as  ours,  there  is  often  need  of  a 
peace-maker.  Jesus  will  surely  say  to  him. 
u  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers,  for  they  shall  be 
called  the  children  of  God,"  Many  times  he  has 
come  from  the  office  weary  in  body  and  mind,  yet 
no  rest  until  some  plan  of  action  was  arranged  to 
help  those  in  difficulty.  Many  times  in  the  small 
hours  of  the  night  have  I  listened  to  the  advice  he 
thought  he  should  give  the  parties  concerned.  It 
seemed  a  relief  to  tell  some  one  of  his  cares.  Per- 
haps the  difficulty  was  concerning  trifling  matters, 
yet,  there  was  danger  that  the  cause  of  God  would 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  229 

suffer,  if  oil  were  not  poured  upon  the  troubled 
waters.  He  seemed  to  have  the  faculty  of  gaining 
the  confidence  of  all ;  for  every  one  felt  a  freedom 
in  confiding  their  interests  into  his  keeping.  They 
expected  sympathy  in  joy  or  sorrow.  Standing  as 
he  did  at  the  centre  of  our  denominational  inter- 
ests— visiting  as  he  did  for  so  many  years  our  an- 
nual Conferences,  he  became  well  acquainted  with 
our  work  all  through  the  Connection.  Almost  knew 
individual  churches.  He  was  personally  acquaint- 
ed with  nearly  all  the  ministers- — knew  their  suc- 
cesses and  their  failures — knew  all  they  had  to 
contend  against — their  self-denial  for  the  Master — 
their  zeal,  their  devotion  and  consecration.  He 
often  wrote,  "  We  do  have  a  band  of  noble  breth- 
ren." His  letters  from  the  Conferences  almost  in- 
variably testified  to  the  presence  of  the  Lord  in 
their  annual  gatherings,  and  the  faithful  work  done 
by  the  brethren.  In  looking  over  his  letters  I  find 
often  such  expressions  as  these — "  We  have  had  a 
glorious  session  of  Conference ;  for  the  Lord  has 
been  with  us  in  mighty  power."  Souls  were  con- 
verted, and  believers  were  strengthened."  "  The 
brethren  go  to  their  work  with  a  renewed  conse- 
cration. I  expect  great  results,  because  of  the 
baptism  of  power  received."  Also,  "  This  has  been  a 
good  year  for  this  Conference.  Thanks  be  unto  God 
who  giveth  us  such  victories.      Its  all  of  the  Lord — 

or  Brother is  on  the  mountain  top.     This  has 

been  his  best  year — over  one  hundred  conversions. 
Prospects  good,  but  our  hope  is  in  God.     May  He 


230  THE    LIFE  OF 

use  us  to  His  glory.  I  preached  last  night— a 
good  time.  Tlie  good  Lord  blesses  me  in  His 
work.  How  much  I  need  His  grace.  I  am  sure 
many  are  praying  for  me.  Let  us  be  more  and 
more  given  to  God.  I  think  I  know  something  of 
what  Paul  wrote  of  the  '  care  of  all  the  Churches.' 
Seek  daily  communion  with  God.  Be  as  busy  as 
may  be  about  His  work  and  time  will  speed  quick- 
ly.    God  bless  you." 

THE  LAST  YEAB. 

The  last  year  of  Mr.  Crook's  life  was  if  possible 
crowded  witl\more  than  usual  labor.  He  returned 
from  his  visit  to  the  Coferences  in  the  Fall  of  1873 
feeling  well  in  body  and  mind.  The  people  had 
responded  to  his  calls  for  subscriptions  to  the  new 
Publishing  House  with  great  liberality.  The  work 
throughout  the  Connection  was  in  a  growing,  pros- 
perous condition.  The  Lord  was  with  them  at 
each  session  of  Conference,  to  bless  and  strengthen. 
The  brethren  went  to  their  respective  fields  of  la- 
bor with  fresh  courage  and  renewed  consecration. 
New  fields  were  opening,  and  new  laborers  were 
coming  up  to  the  work.  He  thanked  God  and  took 
courage.  He  almost  immediately,  in  connection 
with  his  office  work,  took  charge  of  a  Mission 
Church  about  one  mile  and  a  half  from  his  home, 
preaching  twice  on  each  Sabbath.  A  few  weeks 
after  his  return,  Bro.  Stratton  was  taken  sick,  and 
for  weeks  was  so  feeble  that  we  were  all  greatly 
alarmed   about   his   recovery.     Mr.  Crooks    took 


ftEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  231 

charge  of  the  editorial  work,  and  while  all  this 
was  upon  his  hands,  the  clerk  was  also  taken  sick, 
which  made  additional  labor.  Before  either  was 
able  to  do  full  duty,  he  commenced  a  series  of 
meetings  at  the  Mission  Chapel.  Working  hard 
at  the  office  all  day,  he  would  walk  to  the  meeting, 
preach,  exhort,  conduct  altar  services,  and  late  in 
evening  would  walk  home,  take  a  few  hours  rest, 
and  then  commence  the  labors  of  another  day. 
This  continued  until  time  for  the  Spring  Confer- 
ences. He  attended  the  last  of  those  in  May,  and 
in  June,  Bro.  Stratton  and  family  went  West  on  a 
visit,  and  were  absent  four  weeks.  Mr.  Crooks 
took  entire  charge  of  papers  and  office  again.  He 
attended  the  dedication  of  a  church  in  Vermont, 
in  July,  and  in  August  went  to  Michigan  for  the 
same  purpose. 

Immediately  upon  his  return  from  the  last  dedi- 
cation, he  commenced  his  preparations  for  his  usual 
Fall  journeyings.  His  hands  were  full  of  buiness 
until  the  last  moment.  At  dinner,  on  the  last  day, 
he  said  : — "  I  am  going  to  try  to  get  through  with 
my  work  in  time  to  have  a  half  hour  to  rest  and 
visit  with  you  before  I  leave  for  the  train."  But 
there  are  always  so  many  arrangements  to  make, 
so  much  to  attend  to,  before  leaving  for  such  a 
length  of  time,  that  he  could  spare  but  a  few  mo- 
ments for  supper  and  the  last  il  God  bless  you !" 
We  expected  to  meet  again  in  Michigan  after  a  few 
weeks.  He  left  home  on  the  evening  train,  for 
Bast  Orange,  Delaware  Co.,  Ohio,  where  the  ses- 


232  THE  LIFE   Off 

sion  of  the  Central  Ohio  Conference  was  to  be  held* 
Three  years  of  our  life  had  been  spent  happily  in 
the  cozy  little  parsonage  at  that  place,  He  arrived 
in  safety  and  good  health,  and  wrote  me  a  long 
letter,  telling  of  old  friends  and  his  pleasant 
visit  with  them.  He  left  there  for  the  Miami  Con- 
ference, and  the  week  following  he  was  in  Rich- 
mond, Ind.,  attending  the  Indiana  Conference.  I 
will  give  an  extract  from  one  of  his  letters  written 
while  there : — 

Sept.  3,  1874. 
"Deak  Wife  :— 

My  health  is  still  good,  for  me,  at  this  season  of  the 
year.  Some  catarrh,  but  I  think  I  am  over  the  worst. 
The  attendance  is  large — some  say  the  largest  ever  known 
in  this  Conference.  Six  came  to  unite  with  the  Conference. 
How  thankful  to  God  we  should  be  for  the  success  he  is 
giving  us.  I  am  very  thankful.  Soon  as  possible  I  will 
let,  you  know  whether  you  may  look  for  me  Monday  or 
Tuesday.  Good-bye  till  evening.  Mail  is  in  noW,  and  no 
letter  from  you.  Hope  now  for  to-morrow  morning,  but  I 
send  you  this.  I  am  much  better  to-day.  The  Lord,  be 
praised.  Take  good  care  of  yourself;  I  know  you  will  of 
mother.  Don't  too  strongly  look  for  me  next  week.  Case 
is  looking  doubtful.  Best  love  and  blessings.  Thine  own 
loving  husband. 

He  found  that  by  riding  all  night  he  could  come 
to  my  mother's  on  his  way  to  the  Michigan  Confer- 
ence, and  spend  a  day  with  us/  He  was  very 
weary,  but  enjoyed  his  visit  very  much.  He  had  a 
long  talk  with  mother.  She  did  not  think  she 
should  see  him  again,  for  she  expected  to  be  called 
soon  to  her  "  Heavenly  home." 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  233 

While  making  preparations  for  his  departure,  I 
could  not  entirely  control  my  feelings.  Seeing  this, 
lie  came  to  me  and  said  : — "  It's  hard,  but  we'll  do 
this  for  Jesus'  sake."  We  went  to  the  depot;  bade 
each  other  farewell.  That  was  the  last  time  I  saw 
my  husband  when  he  looked  like  himself. 

Ionia,  Mich.,  Sept.  14,  1874. 

"  Dear  Wife  ; — 

I  had  expected  to  communicate  with  you  agaiu  last 
week,  but  was  away  five  miles  from  the  post  office;  bence7 
I  write  this  morning,  immediately.  We  have  had  an  ex- 
cellent Conference  session.  Good  attendance,  a  "blessed 
spirit  of  harmony  and  zeal.  Six  were  ordained.  My 
health  is  now  about  perfect.  I  have  recovered  from  my 
annual  attack  ol  catarrh,  and  this  morning,  after  the  labors 
of  yesterday,  am  feeling  splendidly.  0,  how  I  thank  God 
for  good  health  !  I  hope  you  are  well  by  this  time.  You 
must  take  good  care  of  yourself  for  my  sake.  To  look 
forward,  it  seems  a  long  time  until  November;  yet  we 
know  how  fast  time  flies.  You  will  be  content  taking  care 
of  mother.  Bro.  Curtis  sends  love  to  you  all ;  he  is  quite 
feeble.  Time  is  manifestly  making  its  mark  upon  him. 
So  it  does  and  is  upon  us  all.  Now,  be  good,  and  do  good. 
Let  me  hear  from  you  often.  Love  and  blessing  to  you 
and  all.     Thine  own  in  love.7? 

While  going  from  the  Michigan  to  the  Illinois 
Conference,  he  had  a  severe  chill,  It  lasted  hours. 
In  speaking  of  it  after  he  came  home,  he  said,  "  I 
thought  I  never  could  get  warm  again.  The  very 
marrow  in  my  bones  seemed  frozen."  He  sent  me 
a  card  from  Sycamore,  saying  he  was  sick,  and  he 
would  write  me  again  soon. 


234  THE  LIFE  OP 

Sycamore,  III.,  Sept.  23. 

"Dear  Wife  :— 

No  doubt  you  have  been  anxious  to  hear  from  me. 
Thursday  eve  I  sent  a  card  to  you,  reporting  my  sickness' 
then  started  to  ride  five  miles  to  the  Conference  ;  or  rather 
to  my  stopping  place,  which  was  two  miles  from  the  place 
of  Conference.  This  was  too  bad  for  a  sick  man,  to  ride 
four  miles  eacl!  day.  I  would  go  in  the  morning  and  stay 
till  evening,  remaining  in -doors  at  night.  I  eat  almost 
nothing.  This  wretched  Hay-fever.  I  preached  Sabbath, 
and  came  to  this  place  Monday,  too  late  to  get  a  letter  to 
you.  I  write  this  before  breakfast.  I  am  feeling  better, 
but  not  well.  Pray  for  me ;  I  do  for  you.  Write  me 
often.     Love  to  you,  mother,  and  all.     Ever  thine  own." 

Sycamore,  III.,  Sept.  24. 

"  Dear  Wife  :— 

fl  write  you  by  the  handj  of  another,  not  being  able  to 
write  now.  I  have  been  stopping  here  at  Bro.  Clark's, 
pastor  of  the  Church  at  Sycamore,  trying  to  rest  up  and 
doctor  up.  The  Doctor  says  I  am  better,  and  thinks  I 
will  not  have  a  run  of  fever.  I  am  very  weak.  I  start  for 
Iowa  to-day.  Bro.  Clark  is  going  with  me  to  take  care  of 
me  and  do  the  work.  I  shall  do  my  very  best  to  take  ?are 
of  myself,  and  will  write  you  again  when  I  get  to  Iowa. 
I  know  you  will  not  cease  to  pray  for  me ;  I  will  not  for 
thee.  Hope  in  G-od.  Don't  be  discouraged.  All  will 
come  out  right.  Yery  best  love  and  blessing  to  you  and  all. 
This  is  written  by  the  hand  of  our  excellent  Sister  Shep- 
ardson, for  your  loving  husband." 

Iowa  Conference,  Sept.  28,  1874. 
"Dear  Wife:  — 

I  wrote   you  by  the  hand   of  Sister  Shepardson,  in  Illi- 

1  nois,  and  by  the  hand  uf  Bro.  Clark,  in  Iowa,  on  oar  way 

to  the  seat  of  Conference,  and  would  now  write  you  by  the 

hand  of  Bro.   Shepardson,    who   is    to    accompany   me    to 

Kansas.     It  required  nearly  a  superhuman  effort   to  reach 


REV.    ADAM    CROOKS.  235 

this  place.  Having  started  Thursday  noon,  from  Syca- 
more, 111.,  we  arrived  at  midnight  at  State  Line,  Iowa. 
There  stretched  out  before  us  some  fifteen  miles  of  rough 
road,  and  it  was  raining  furiously.  This  was  rather  a  gloomy 
prospect  for  a  sick  man,  but  our  good  Heavenly  Father 
brought  us  safely  through  it  all.  To  his  Holy  name  be 
rendered  grateful  praise.  I  left  almost  the  entire  business 
to  Brothers  Shepardson  and  Clark,  simply  settling  with  our 
Missionaries,  and  making  my  official  report  to  the  Confer- 
ence. I  only  attended  services  Sabbath  morning.  The 
good  brethren  and  sisters  having  kindly  furnished  me  a 
couch  on  which  to  lie,  and  now  having  done  all  this,  Mon 
day  morning,  I  find  myself  vastly  better  than  when  we  left 
Sycamore.  It  is  truly  wonderful  how  our  good  Heavenly 
Father  can  sustain  amid  suffering,  toil  and  sickness.  He 
shall  have  all  the  glory.  And  now,  dear  wife,  be  patient, 
trustful,  and  ever  praise  the  Lord.  This  letter  is  quite  ex- 
tended. I  had  better  rest.  Give  love  to  mother  and  all 
the  family,  and  accept  without  measure,  from  your  pilgrim, 
yet  faithful  and  loving  husband. 

"P.  S.  Your  two  good  letters  addressed  me  here,  were 
received  Saturday  evening. 

"  P.  S.  Sept.  29th.  Programme  changed.  I  have  con- 
cluded to  stop  here  a  week  and  rest,  and  let  Bro.  Shepard- 
do  the  business  in  Kansas.  This  will  give  me  opportunity 
to  rest  and  rally  for  the  remainder  of  the  tour.  Young 
Bro.  McG-iivra  consents  to  stay  and  care  for  me.  Ever 
"loving,  &c." 

Oct.  5,  1874. 

"  Dear  Wife  : — 

I  promised  to  write  the  next  letter  with  my  own  hands, 
but  I  find  it  much  easier  to  employ  the  hand  of  another. 
I  came  here  last  Monday,  and  have  been  stoppiug  here  un- 
til this  Monday  morning,  to  rest  up  and  get  well.  Have 
had  excellent  care  taken  of  me,  God  appointing  a  Sister 
Riley  and  Bro.  McGilvra  to  this  work.  Now  the  fever 
seems  to  be  gone,  but  it  leaves  me  quite  weak.     It  will  re- 


236  THE  LIFE   OF 

quire  some  days  to  recruit,  before  I  can  renew  my  journey. 

I  mean  first,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  to  take  care  of  self, 
and  theu  do  my  utmost  for  His  cause.  It  may  be  I  will 
remain  here  until  Wednesday,  before  trying  to  start  out  on 
my  tour.  Only  two  more  Conferences  to  attend,  and  two 
more  churches  to  dedicate.  I  expect  to  return  to  Syracuse 
by  the  way  of  Leesvilie ;  but  I  do  not  expect  to  remain 
there  very  long.  I  wish  the  Estate  affairs  were  all  settled 
up.  God  will  bring  it  about  after  a  while.  Take  good 
care  of  yourself.  Let  me  hear  from  you  as  often  as  possi- 
ble. Give  love  to  mother  and  all.  Please  accept  a  bound- 
less share  for  yourself.     Be  sure  and  live  very  near  to  the 

dear    Lord,   and  do  all  the  good  you  can.     From  your  ever 

loving  husband." 

I  received  a  number  of  postals  written  for  him? 
all  full  of  hope  for  a  speedy  recovery,  and  thank- 
fulness for  blessings  given.  After  ten  days  rest,  he 
started  alone  for  the  Minnesota  Conference.  He 
was  not  fit  to  make  the  journey,  especially  alone, 
but  he  said,  "  God  took  care  of  me."  The  next  is 
written  in  a  trembling  hand,  by  himself. 

Wasioja,  Minn.,  Oct.  J 3,  1874. 
"Dear  Wife: — 

Your  two  letters  were  brought  from  Kansas,  also  the 
one  to  this  place  received.  I  am  improving  slowly.  Ap- 
petite does  not  seem  to  come.  I  think  the  attack  was  bil- 
ious. I  start  to  Wisconsin  to-day.  A  long  visit  with 
Professor  Hand.  He  looks  about  as  of  yore.  He  is  absent 
from  his  family  nearly  all  the  time.  He  sends  kindest  re- 
gards to  Libbie.  Well,  not  long  now,  if  God  please,  till 
we  meet  at  home.  Won't  it  seem  good.  Dear  wife,  let  us 
live  near  God.  Love  and  blessing  to  all.  Your  ever  lov- 
ing husband.'7 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  237 

Wisconsin  Conference,  Oct.  17,  1874. 

C£  Dear  Wife  :— 

Your  good  letter  was  received  all  right.  I  am  still  on 
the  up  grade.  Have  not  preached  since  in  Illinois,  May 
next  Sabbath,  if  the  Lord  helps.  Yes,  in  about  three 
weeks,  God  permitting,  I  hope  to  get  home — about  the 
first  of  November." 

The  next  is  an  almost  entire  copy  of  his  last  let- 
ter to  me,  written  in  weakness  and  weariness,  with 
a  trembling  hand. 

Trempeleau,  Wis.,  Oct.  21,  1874, 
"  Very  Dear  Wife  : — Your  postal  was  received  last 
evening.  Hope  you  are  well  as  usual.  lam  here  to  dedi- 
cate a  church  at  2  o'clock  to-day.  Hope  God  may  help 
me.  I  am  still  improving  slowly,  but  it  almost  seems  by 
the  half  inch,  yet  coming  up.  Glad  to  know  you  are  try- 
ing to  live  near  God.  0,  how  important  this  !  You  wish 
to  know  on  what  day  of  next  week  I  expect  to  get  home  • 
If  G-od  will,  on  Tuesday,  if  I  do  not  go  to  Leesville ;  if  I 
do  go  there,  then  Thursday.  If  you  get  home  first,  give 
love  to  all  the  friends.  Blessings.  Thine  own  loving  hus- 
band. 

("  Soon  face  to  faee."  A.  Crooks. 

After  leaving  Trempeleau,  he  had  to  attend  a 
dedication  at  Xenia,  Ohio.  On  the  way,  while  in 
the  cars,  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  two  Friends ; 
and  as  they  were  conversing  about  the  reforms  of 
the  day,  and  the  life  work  of  the  Christian,  he  no- 
ticed a  gentleman  seated  near  by,  who  seemed  very 
much  interested  in  the  conversation.  As  they 
neared  Xenia,  he  approached  Mr.  Crooks,  asking 
"  To  what  part  of  the  city  do  you  intend  going  ?  I 
live  here,  and  can  aid  you."     He  told  him  where. 


238  THE  LIFE  OF 

Then  the  stranger  said,  "  It  is  but  a  short  distance* 
I  am  going  the  same  way,  and  will  carry  your 
satchel  for  you.  I  have  been  listening  to  your  talk, 
and  I  like  the  ring  of  it."  They  stepped  to  the 
door  and  found  it  raining.  Then  the  gentleman 
said,  "  Let  me  call  a  carriage  for  you."  Pie  did 
so,  and  after  helping  him  in,  bade  him  a  good  day. 
Mr.  Crooks  rested  very  well  that  night,  and  the 
next  day  attended  the  dedication.  After  preach- 
ing, there  were  twelve  hundred  dollars  to  raise,  in 
order  to  clear  the  church  from  indebtedness.  They 
succeeded  in  raising  the  greater  portion  of  it,  and 
thinking  they  would  not  be  able  to  finish  it  entire- 
ly, dismissed  the  congregation.  He  went  to  his 
resting  place,  lay  down  a  few  hours,  thought  of 
another  plan,  arose,  went  to  the  evening  service 
and  completed  the  work.  He  was  too  feeble  to  go 
to  Leesville,  as  he  had  purposed  doing,  so  he  came 
directly  home. 

He  was  so  thankful  to  get  home  once  more.  He 
was  very  grateful  for  the  kindness  and  care  be- 
stowed upon  him  by  others.  Several  times  he  said 
"  I  could  not  have  had  better  care  if  you  had  been 
at  my  side;  but  it  is  so  pleasant  to  be  in  my  own 
little  home  again."  He  had  every  attention  possi. 
ble  while  traveling.  At  one  time,  the  Superintend- 
ent of  the  road  was  at  the  depot  when  the  train 
was  being  made  up,  and  seeing  Mr.  Crooks'  condi 
tion,  he  ordered  a  more  comfortable  car  to  be 
added  to  the  train.  Another  time,  the  Conductor 
of  a  train  had  a  lounge  put  into  the  baggage  car; 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  239 

so  that  he  could  lie  down  while  traveling.  The 
hands  employed  on  the  trains  seemed  to  vie  with 
each  other  in  kindness  to  him.  The  accommoda- 
tions in  the  far  West,  upon  those  cross  roads,  espe- 
cially, are  not  very  good.  He  has  journeyed  many, 
many  miles,  upon  freight  trains,  and  even  upon  open 
gravel  cars,  seated  upon  his  trunk,  with  his  um- 
brella to  shield  him  from  the  sun  and  rain.  Several 
times  he  has  written  me  of  riding  with  the  engineer 
and  in  one  letter,  written  several  years  ago,  he 
says  : — "  I  am  getting  used  to  the  rough  and  tumble 
of  travel.  You  would  think  so,  if  you  had  seen 
me  riding  all  night,  last  night,  in  a  freight  car,  lying 
on  a  board  for  a  bed,  and  my  satchel  for  my  pillow." 
He  came  home  the  27th  of  October.  He  was 
very  feeble,  and  had  changed  so  in  his  appearance, 
that  he  scarcely  looked  like  himself.  We  all  felt 
that  he  must  have  been  very  much  worse  than  we 
realized  at  the  time.  That  evening,  while  talking 
of  his  sickness,  I  told  him  of  the  desolation  that 
would  come  over  me  at  times,  while  at  mother's — a 
fear  that  I  should  never  see  him  again,  and  I  said, 
"  Oh,  Mr.  Crooks  what  should  I  have  done  if  you 
had  not  come  home  ?"  Laying  his  hands  upon  my 
head,  he  said,  "  God  would  have  helped  you  borne 
it."  He  also  said  "  he  believed  that  he  was  per- 
mitted to  come  home  in  answer  to  prayer."  I  feel 
assured,  by  some  remarks  he  made  as  we  further 
conversed,  that  night,  that  there  had  been  times 
when  he  had  felt  his  recovery  doubtful.  He 
traced  the  hand  of  a  kind  and  loving  Father  all 


240  THE   LIFE  OF 

through  his  sickness,  especially  in  raising  up  such 
friends,  who  were  so  tireless  in  their  attentions  to 
his  comfort.  He  said  farther,  that  "  God  had  so 
prospered  us  as  a  denomination,  that  there  would 
not  be  so  much  anxiety  for  the  future  as  there  had 
been  in  the  past.  He  should  not  have  so  much 
care,  and  he  was  not  going  to  let  all  his  attention 
be  given  to  outside  work,  for  he  intended  to  spare 
a  little  to  his  home.  For  years  the  Connection 
had  claimed  his  whole  time  and  absorbed  his  every 
thought;  now,  God  was  raising  up  others,  who 
were  working  so  zealously  and  faithfully  that  there 
was  not  that  necessity  for  him  to  labor  as  he  had 
been  doing.     He  was  going  to  rest  and  recruit.'' 

Nearly  every  day  he  spent  an  hour  or  more  at  the 
office,  having  his  accounts  of  business  done  at  the 
Conferences  properly  recorded  on  the  office  books, 
and  in  answering  letters  which  were  awaiting  his 
return.  Some  of  these  were  for  advice  and  coun- 
sel, and  he  wrote  as  the  case  seemed  to  need; 
sometimes  planning  the  work  for  others,  sometimes 
encouraging,  and  again  giving  counsel.  When  at 
home,  he  lay  on  the  couch  nearly  all  the  time.  He 
did  not  suffer  much,  but  seemed  so  weary. 

The  first  Sabbath  morning  after  his  return,  he 
wanted  to  go  to  Church,  but  as  it  was  stormy,  he 
concluded  to  stay  at  home  and  rest.  I  left  him 
with  that  understanding.  Shortly  after  I  had  gone, 
he  changed  his  mind,  arose,  protected  himself  as 
best  he  could,  and  came  to  the  house  of  God.  He 
sat  by  the  stove  during  service,  but  before  the  bene 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  241 

diction  was  pronounced,  he  asked  permission  to  say 
&  few  words.  He  said  lie  wished  to  thank  the 
friends  for  their  kind  sympathy  and  prayers.  He 
said  it  was  in  answer  to  prayer  that  he  stood  be- 
fore them  to-day.  He  spoke  of  the  good  dealings 
of  God  with  him,  and  his  perfect  submission  to  the 
will  divine.  He  encouraged  them  to  continue  to 
pray ;  for  God  did  hear  and  answer  prayer. 

There  were  several  times  in  which,  for  a  few 
days,  he  seemed  to  gain  strength;  then  he  would 
have  chills  or  a  return  of  fever,  and  he  would  lose 
all  he  had  gained.  At  one  time  he  gained  several 
pounds  in  weight;  but  it  could  not  have  been  good 
flesh.  There  was  not  a  perfect  circulation  of  blood 
through  his  system;  for  one  foot  and  limb  were 
cold  nearly  all  the  time.  His  appetite  was"  very 
fickle;  sometimes  craving  very  little,  and  then  al- 
most ravenous  in  its  demands. 

The  Mission  Church  had  been  without  a  supply 
for  the  pulpit  for  several  Sabbaths,  and  he  was  so 
anxious  for  that  little  flock  for  which  he  had  labored 
so  earnestly,  that  he  walked  to  the  place  of  worship, 
and  preached  from  these  words : — "  Keep  your- 
selves in  the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eternal  life."  Jude, 
i:  21.  He  preached  about  forty  minutes.  His 
voice,  at  first,  was  weak  and  tremulous ;  but  he 
became  so  engaged  in  urging  his  hearers  to  faith- 
fulness,  that  it  became  as  strong  and  powerful  as  it 
ever  was.  He  rested  a  while,  and  walked  home, 
11 


242  TSE  LIFE  OF 

and  that  night  he  had  another  chill,  from  which,  in 
a  few  days,  he  seemed  to  rally.  He  afterwards 
rode  to  the  place  of  meeting,  and  preached  his 
farewell  sermon  to  them,  as  they  had  succeeded  in 
securing  the  services  of  another  pastor.  This 
proved  to  be  the  last  time  he  gave  the  "  bread  of 
life"  to  others.  His  text  was:— "And  when  he 
Was  gone,  a  lion  met  him  by  the  way  and  slew 
him."  1  Kings,  xiii :  24,  The  leading  thought  he 
tried  to  impress  upon  their  minds  was  a  caro  fulness 
in  obeying  the  commands  of  God.  He  did  not 
remain  to  Class-meeting,  but  took  each  one  of  them 
by  the  hand,  asking  God  to  bless  them,  he  bade 
them  farewell.  They  never  saw  him  again,  until 
they  looked  upon  his  shrouded  form. 

When  expostulated  with  for  working  when  so 
feeble,  he  said,  "  I  am  doing  my  duty ;  God  will 
take  care  of  my  body."  His  mind  rested  calmly, 
trusting  in  God.  He  said  several  times,  that  he 
never  felt  he  could  be  spared  from  the  work  as 
well  as  now  j  there  were  so  many  brave,  zealous,, 
earnest  workers  coming  into  our  ranks.  The  young 
and  old  were  so  baptized  with  the  spirit  of  labor 
and  sacrifice  for  Jesus,  that  the  work  would  still  go 
on ;  i  but/  he  always  added,  "  it  is  just  as  the  Lord 
wills;  I  am  in  his  hands,  to  do  his  will." 

About  this  time,  letters  came,  asking  advice  con- 
cerning a  Church  difficulty  on  a  certain  part  of  the 
work.  It  seemed  to  press  heavily  upon  him.  He 
exclaimed,  "  Why  cannot  brethren  bear  with  each 
other  1"     He  was  advised  to  send  postal  cards  to 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  243 

the  parties,  stating  his  feebleness,  and  that  he  would 
write  them  more  fully,  as  soon  as  he   was  better. 
This  he  did ;  but  a  few  days  later  he  wrote  several 
long  letters,  trying  to  calm  the  strife  among  brethren. 
The  year  was  drawing  to  a  close.     He  felt  there 
ought  to  be  some  earnest  words  said  to  our  sub- 
scribers, urging  renewals  and  the  enlarging  of  our 
list.     He  arose  one  Monday  morning,  and  as  soon 
as  breakfast  and  morning  devotions  were  over,  he 
drew  a  stand  near  the  stove,  and  began  to  write. 
Nearly  the  whole  forenoon  was  spent  in  preparing 
the  Prospectus  for  1875.    Then,  there  were  callers 
who  occupied  his  time  for  an  hour  or  more.     When 
at  last  alone,  he  laid  his   weary  body  upon  the 
couch ;  and  as  I  sat  beside  him,  taking  my  hand  in 
.his,  he  said: — "I  know  you  are  feeling  anxious  be- 
cause I  have  worked  so  hard  this  forenoon.     I  had 
to  do  it.     The  subject  was  in  my  mind  and  on  my 
heart.     I  could  not  lay  it  aside.     It  was  time  for 
the  Prospectus  to  appear  in  the  paper,  and  there 
was  no  one  who  had  the  facts  as  I  had.     I  had  to 
do  it.     This  morning,  as  I  knelt  beside  my  bed,  I 
said,  \  0,  Lord,  living  or  dying,  I  will  do  my  duty.' 
It  was  my  duty,  and  God  will  take  care  of  the  re- 
sults.    It  has  always  been,  my  experience,  that  God 
has  given  me  strength  to  do  the  work  he  has  for 
me  to  do.     While   attending  the   Conferences  and 
Dedications,  as  feeble  as  I  was,  many  times  I  felt 
that  I  could  not  hold  up  my  head ;  yet,  when  the 
time  came  for  me  to  speak,  to  preach  or  to  present 
the  interests  of  our  cause,  God  was  by  me,  to  sup- 


244  THE  LIFE   OF 

port  and  strengthen.     Now,  do  not  feel  worried , 
for  I  am  in  the  Lord's  hands,  to  do  his  will." 

He  was  "exceedingly  interested  in  the  women's 
temperance  work  in  our  city,  and  was  anxious  that 
I  should  attend  every  meeting.  One  day,  he  had 
lain  upon  the  couch  nearly  all  the  forenoon ;  not  in 
much  pain,  yet  suffering  from  prostration.  It 
seemed  to  require  an  effort  to  lift  even  his  hand ; 
yet  he  urged  me  to  go  to  the  meeting  that  aftei\ 
noon.  He  said,  "  you  cannot  do  anything  for  me ;  I 
will  lie  here  and  rest  while  you  are  gone."  He 
seemed  to  feel  sorry  when  I  told  him  I  could  not 
leave  him.  I  did  go  to  a  number  of  meetings, 
partly  to  please  him,  when  my  heart  was  divided 
between  the  interests  of  the  cause  and  my  poor 
feeble  husband  at  home.  We  had  many  calm,  quiet 
talks,  during  those  last  weeks,  upon  personal  expe- 
rience. He  was  so  restful,  and  trustful,  and  hope- 
ful, expecting  to  get  well,  because  he  had  such 
confidence  in  the  strength  of  his  constitution  to 
throw  off  disease,  and  there  was  so  much  work  to 
be  done  for  the  Master,  and  he  had  such  a  love  for 
that  work,  that  his  mind  was  almost  entirely  occu- 
pied in  arranging  work  for  himself  and  others. 
Self  was  so  thoroughly  crucified ;  he  had  no  anxi- 
ety for  the  present  or  future.  All  was  well  with 
him,  and  he  lay  passive  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord, 
awaiting  his  guiding,  ready  to  go  or  stay,  just  as 
the  Lord  willed. 

He  said,  at  one  time,  "I  hope  to  have  more  time 
to  write  now,  than  I  have  had  fur  the   past  few 


REV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  245 

years.  There  are  several  subjects  upon  which  I 
think  I  shall  write  more  fully.  I  think  good  can 
be  done.  I  want  our  people  established,  settled, 
and  grounded  on  these  subjects."  One  was  our 
perpetuity  as  a  denomination.  If  we  will,  with 
"  patient  continuance,"  labor  on,  success  is  before 
us.  Another  one  he  mentioned,  was  u  the  great 
importance  of  heart  and  life  consecration  to  God." 
This  was  a  subject  of  vital  importance  to  him. 
Personally,  he  drew  very  near  to  God ;  seemed  to 
talk  with  him,  as  with  a  dear  friend.  His  earnest 
prayers  for  the  cause  he  loved,  and  was  willing  to 
labor  for,  shall  never  be  forgotten. 

Those  last  weeks  were  blessed,  precious  weeks* 
He  seemed  in  spirit  so  like  himself.  His  cares 
were  laid  upon  One  strong  to  help.  He  was  so 
thankful  to  get  home,  he  fully  entered  into  the  en- 
joyment of  our  quiet,  peaceful  home.  He  was  ten- 
der, loving,  cheerful,  hopeful  and  trustful.  It  was 
quiet  rest  for  body  and  soul. 

He  went  to  the  office  nearly  every  day,  until  the 
last  week.  Tuesday,  one  week  before  his  death, 
he  went  twice.  About  eleven  o'clock  he  came 
home,  very  weary,  and  laid  on  the  couch.  He  did 
not  wish  any  dinner,  but  wanted  to  rest.  He 
seemed  comfortable  as  he  lay  there,  and  having  to 
go  out  to  meet  an  engagement,  at  two  o'clock,  I 
left  him  for  an  hour  or  two.  When  I  returned,  he 
was  feeling  badly,  but  was  trying  to  transact  some 
business  appertaining  to  the  printing  office,  with  a 
stranger  who  had  called  to  see  him.      When  we 


246  THE  LIFE  OF 

were  alone,  he  complained  of  a  pain  in  his  stomach, 
somewhat  similar  to  his  old  complaint,  (Bilious 
Cholic).  But  as  it  was  not  very  severe,  he  said  he 
would  drink  some  peppermint  tea,  and  be  covered 
up  warm,  and  get  into  a  perspiration.  He  thought 
that  would  relieve  him.  He  suffered  all  night,  but 
he  did  not  feel  anxious.  In  the  morning,  we  thought 
we  ought  to  be  more  thorough,  and  commenced  giv- 
ing him  medicine  which  was  prepared  for  him,  and 
had  always  given  relief.  About  noon  he  was  bet- 
ter of  the  pain,  but  had  a  high  fever,  which  in- 
creased as  night  approached. 

Bro.  Stratton  called  during  the  afternoon,  to  make 
arrangements  for  the  missionary  meeting,  which 
was  to  be  held  the  next  day.  I  asked  him  if  he 
thought  he  should  be  able  to  attend  the  meeting. 
He  answered,  "If I  cannot  go  to  the  meeting  the 
brethren  can  come  here."  He  felt  that  the  meet- 
ing must  be  held  then,  for  our  missionaries  were 
needy.  During  the  night  his  fever  was  very  high. 
His  mind  was  wandering.  He  was  traveling — 
working — -had  so  much  to  attend  to.  In  the  morn- 
ing  early  he  was  better.  I  wanted  him  to  have  a 
doctor,  but  he  said,  "  Wait,  I  think  I  shall  be  better 
now."  After  a  time  I  left  him  sleeping,  and  went 
into  another  part  of  the  house  to  attend  to  other 
duties.  In  a  little  while  hearing  him  up,  I  went  to 
his  room  and  found  him  trying  to  dress  himself 
and  could  not.  I  asked,  "  Had  you  better  get  up 
now  ?  he  said  "  0  yes,"  and  indistinctly  referred 
to  the  missionary  meeting.     I  gave  him  the  aid  he 


REV.  ADAH  CROOKS,  247 

needed,  and  leaving  him  a  moment  I  heard  his 
voice  and  went  to  him  immediately.  He  tried  to 
tell  me  something,  but  could  not  articulate  clearly. 
Then  he  laid  back  upon  the  bed  and  motioned  me 
to  cover  him  up.  I  sent  immediately  for  the  doc- 
tor. He  was  conscious  when  he  came,  yet  did  not 
talk  coherently.  He  lay  all  day  in  a  stupor ;  when 
roused  he  seemed  to  know  what  was  said  to  him. 
Several  times  during  the  day  he  would  get  up  and 
out  of  bed  as  though  he  must  go  somewhere.  I 
would  quietly  arrange  his  pillows  or  bed,  and  say, 
now  your  bed  is  nice,  he  would  lie  down  without 
any  resistance  and  be  covered  again.  This  con- 
tinued until  about  midnight.  His  fever  left  him 
then,  and  he  slept  sweetly  until  four  o^elock,  when 
he  called  me  by  name.  He  was  perfectly  rational, 
and  could  converse  easily.  He  remembered  some 
things  that  transpired  during  the  previous  day,  but 
for  the  most  part  it  was  a  lost  day  to  him.  He  now 
seemed  more  natural  than  he  had  for  several  days 
past.  He  was  his  own  bright  self  again.  After  he 
had  eaten  a  little  breakfast  he  said,  "  I  was  so  sick 
yesterday  morning  that  I  was  not  conscious  of  the 
time  for  morning  devotion ;  we  must  not  forget  our 
family  altar ;  you  will  bring  the  Bible  here  beside 
my  bed  and  read  it  to  me  and  we  will  pray  to- 
gether." This  was  done  until  the  last  morning, 
when  he  was  again  unconscious.  When  the  doctor 
came,  he  found  him  so  much  better  that  he  encour- 
aged us  to  hope  that  he  would  soon  be  well. 
About  eleven  o'clock  that  day  he  had  a  slight  chill, 


248  THE  LIFE  OF 

but  he  did  not  appear  any  the  worse  for  it,  as  it 
lasted  but  a  few  moments.  Saturday  morning  we 
moved  his  bed  into  the  sitting  room.  He  seemed 
strong — walked  quite  easily.  In  the  afternoon  he 
sat  up  in  the  arm  chair  and  said,  "  he  felt  better." 
He  did  not  suffer  except  a  soreness  across  his 
stomach.  He  had  some  fever  nearly  all  the  time. 
He  slept  quietly  that  night,  awoke  refreshed  and 
still  seemed  better.  The  doctor  came  about  ten 
o'clock  and  was  pleased  with  the  improvement  in 
his  condition.  He  said  he  saw  nothing  in  the  way 
of  his  recovery  if  we  used  care.  The  doctor  sat 
and  conversed  some  time  with  us — and  among  oth- 
er things  he  said,  "  I  have  been  hearing  something 
of  your  hard  labors."  Mr.  Crook's  said,  "  his  la- 
bors in  the  past  had  been  very  severe,  but  he  now 
felt  there  was  no  further  need  for  him  to  carry 
such  a  weight  of  responsibility.  In  the  future  he 
was  intending  to  take  better  care  of  his  health. 
There  had  no  one  been  wronged  but  his  wife.  She 
had  been  called  upon  to  sacrifice  very  much  for  the 
cause  for  which  he  was  laboring ;  had  in  fact  given 
up  her  husband  for  ten  years,  but  he  meant  to  do 
better  by  his  own  home  in  the  future."  He  con- 
tinued, "  I  cannot  of  course  tell  how  it  will  be,  but 
I  feel  as  though  there  were  twenty  years  of  service 
for  Christ  before  me  yet."  The  doctor  said  he 
would  not  be  surprised  if  there  were.  He  sat  up 
twice  during  the  day — had  very  little  or  no  appe- 
tite, but  was  free  from  pain.  We  spent  a  calm, 
bright,  joyous  Sabbath  day.      One  or  two  of  the 


IJEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  249 

friends  saw  him  for  a  moment.  The  doctor's  order 
was  that  he  should  be  kept  perfectly  quiet,  for  his 
fever  still  clung  to  him.  He  sat  up  in  his  arm 
chair  twice  during  the  day,  but  that  night  he  was 
very  restless.  He  was  not  in  pain,  but  his  mind 
was  so  full  of  work.  He  was  planning  important 
work.  He  said  in  the  morning  he  had  prepared 
several  tracts  and  he  thought  when  he  got  well  he 
should  write  them  out  and  publish  them.  He 
thought  they  would  do  good. 

When  Bro.  Stratton  called,  he  told  him  of  one 
or  two  little  matters  which  had  escaped  his  mind 
when  he  saw  him.  After  he  had  finished,  he  said : 
"  There,  they  are  off  my  mind  now."  He  told  him 
of  his  restless  night, — the  work  he  had  been  doing 
during  the  night.  I  give  Bro.  Stratton's  account 
of  his  visit : — 

"On  Monday  morning,  he  said,  in  answer  to  in- 
quiries : — '  No,  I  was  not  nervous,  but  I  could  not 
sleep.  My  mind  was  in  a  chariot  of  flame.  I  was 
blocking  out  tracts,  and  one  article  especially. 
One  tract  on  Why  be  Wesley  an  Methodists  V  He 
mentioned  other  enterprises  by  name,  and  the  joy 
of  his  soul.  He  expressed  the  desire  to  see  the 
great  work  of  holiness  of  heart  and  life  more  and 
more  developed  among  our  people ;  and  it  seemed 
to  us  that  his  countenance  glowed  like  the  face  of 
Moses,  just  down  from  the  Mount  of  God.  He 
then  spoke  with  great  tenderness  of  the  unwearied 
attentions  of  his  wife,  introducing  it  by  saying: 
11* 


250  rHE  LIFE  OF 

Brother  Stratton,  I  have   the   best    wife    in   the 
world.'  " 

He  fully  appreciated  every  little  attention.  Dur- 
ing the  morning,  he  called  me  to  his  bedside,  say- 
ing, "  I  think  we  will  write  a  'certain '  letter  to-day.'' 
I  told  him  he  was  not  well  enough.  He  answered, 
"  I  have  all  that  I  am  going  to  say  arranged  in  my 
mind,  and  if  you  will  write  it,  then  it  will  be  off 
my  mind."  I  promised  to  do  it  for  him  in  the 
afternoon;  it  was  not  remembered  again.  He 
slept  some  during  the  day.  He  was  perfectly  ra- 
tional, and  sat  up  a  short  time.  We  had  several 
conversations  about  what  he  intended  to  do,  as  soon 
as  he  was  able.  One  thing,  he  had  promised,  as 
soon  as  he  was  well  enough,  to  visit  a  Church  where 
there  was  some  misunderstanding  among  some  of 
the  members.  He  spoke  of  his  promise  as  he  lay 
there  on  his  bed.  There  was  such  an  earnestness 
in  his  eye,  as  he  said  :— -"  I  shall  talk  plainly  with 
them.  I  read,  years  ago,  an  allegory,  which  is  to 
the  point  in  this  case.  When  the  Devil  wishes  to 
get  the  control  of  men,  he  holds  up  to  them  his 
end  of  the  great  magnifying  glass,  through  which 
men  look  at  the  things  of  this  life,  and  they  see 
everything  just  as  he  wants  them  to  see  it;  so  he 
controls  them ;  when,  if  they  would  only  turn  the 
glass  around,  look  through  the  other  lens,  they 
would  see  just  as  the  Lord  wanted  them  to  see. 
They  would  learn  his  will  in  the  matter.  I  shall 
tell  them  they  must  be  very  sure  which  lens  they 
are  looking  through."      The  doctor  called  in  the 


&EV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  251 

afternoon,  with  another  physician.  As  he  was  not 
well,  and  feared  he  was  going  to  be  sick,  he  brought 
this  one  with  him  for  counsel,  and  to  attend  to  his 
case  if  he  were  not  able  to  come  in  the  morning 
himself.  They  both  encouraged  us  to  hope  for  re- 
covery. An  old  friend  saw  him  a  moment.  He 
was  glad  to  see  her,  and  sent  love  to  all  the  friends, 
and  expressed  a  hope  that  he  should  see  them  soon, 
A  short  time  after  this,  he  was  taken  with  a  chill, 
which  lasted  about  twenty  minutes,  and  during  this 
time  he  was  perfectly  wild.  I  never  saw  him  so 
much  so  before.  After  using  restoratives,  the  chill 
left  him,  and  he  was  perfectly  rational  again.  He 
said  the  chill  had  not  hurt  him;  his  fever  was  not 
increased  any,  and  he  thought  he  was  weak,  and 
perhaps  he  had  not  kept  covered  as  well  as  he 
should.  He  relished  a  light  supper,  and  after  hav- 
ing his  head  and  feet  bathed,  he  fell  asleep,  and  had 
refreshing  slumber  all  night ;  yet,  every  time  I  went 
to  his  bedside,  he  would  awake.  About  midnight, 
he  awoke  and  said  : — "  We  have  been  having  such 
a  glorious  work.  We  have  organized  a  splendid 
Sabbath  school."  Then  looking  at  me  closely,  he 
said,  "  Why,  I  am  at  home  !  Really,  I  do  not  real- 
ize half  the  time  whether  I  am  at  home  or  not,  I 
am  so  very  busy."  He  wanted  some  snow  to  eat 5 
and  while  eating  it,  told  again  of  his  joy  at  being 
with  me.  He  was  his  own  loving  self  once  more. 
Those  last  days  are  beautiful  days  to  remember. 
He  was  so  patient.  Not  one  complaint  was  heard 
from  him.     Everything  was  just  as  it  should  be. 


252  TS¥  LIFE?  OF 

He  so  often  said,  "Thank  you/'  or  "You  are  80 
kind."  It  was  a  pleasure  to  do  for  him.  For  years 
we  had  not  enjoyed  such  uninterrupted  communion 
with  each  other.  He  was  so  quiet,  and  rested  so 
calmly  in  the  arms  of  the  loving  Savior.  There 
was  a  halo  about  him.  As  I  think  of  those  days, 
I  remember  his  face  shone  with  a  loving  light,  not 
of  this  world.  As  the  day  dawned,  he  said,  "Dear- 
est, it  is  daylight."  I  asked,  "Do  you  wish  me  to 
get  up  ?"  He  answered,  "  On  my  own  account,  I 
do;  but  on  yours,  I  rather  you  would  lie  longer.' 
As  I  arose,  he  wished  to  change  from  the  bed  to  the 
couch.  After  arrangements  were  made  to  make 
him  comfortable,  he  arose,  partly  dressed  himself, 
and  walked  to  the  couch.  I  asked,  "How  do  you 
walk  this  morning?"  He  answered,  "Quite  like 
myself."  I  covered  him  warmly,  as  we  supposed ; 
but  after  a  little  while,  he  asked  for  more  covering 
and  again,  after  a  short  time,  asked  for  more,  saying 
he  thought  he  Was  going  to  have  a  chill.  I  gave  him 
warm  drinks,  and  put  hot  applications  to  his  feet 
and  hands.  He  was  not  wild,  as  he  was  the  night 
before ;  but  sank  into  a  stupor  from  which  it  was 
hard  to  arouse  him,  and  when  aroused,  he  did  not 
talk  connectedly. 

Soon,  the  doctor  came ;  but  he  was  better,  and 
conversed  with  him  rationally.  I  commenced  to 
tell  the  doctor  about  his  chills,  and  my  fears  about 
them ;  and  he  looked  up  at  me,  saying :  "  Those 
chills  have  not  hurt  me.  My  fever  is  not  increased. 
I  am  weak,  and  easily  affected  by  any  change. !* 


UEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  253 

The  doctor  coincided  with  him,  and  said  we  must 
be  very  careful  about  the  temperature  of  the  room, 
when  we  made  changes.  He  also  said  he  did  not 
see  anything  in  the  way  of  his  recovery,  if  we  used 
care.  Soon  after  this,  Bro.  Stratton  called ;  but  he 
must  have  had  another  chill,  and  could  not  tell  of 
it  j  for  he  was  in  a  stupor  again,  and  did  not  talk 
connectedly.  He  spoke  of  a  beautiful  picture,  beau- 
tiful doors,  and  beautiful  colors.  When  Bro,  Strat- 
ton left,  I  went  with  him  into  another  room,  for  a 
few  moments.  I  told  him  of  my  fears ;  but  that 
the  doctor  did  not  seem  alarmed. 

When  I  returned,  Mr.  Crooks  had  evidently  tried 
to  arise  from  the  couch,  for  his  feet  were  on  the 
floor.  I  asked,  "Do  you  want  to  go  to  the  bed?" 
He  answered,  "Yes."  I  helped  him  to  sit  up.  In 
a  moment  he  fell  back,  apparently  lifeless.  I  arous- 
ed him,  by  rubbing  his  hands  and  face  j  and  said  to 
him,  "Now,  I  will  help  you  get  up."  I  did  so;  but 
he  fell  back  a  second  time.  Then  I  called  in 
friends.  We  used  every  means  to  arouse  action  we 
could  devise ;  but  without  success.  After  carrying 
him  back  to  the  bed,  we  sent  to  the  Wesley  an  Of- 
fice and  for  the  doctor.  While  the  messenger  was 
gone,  we  still  kept  doing  all  we  could  for  him,  and 
finally  gave  him  some  wine.  After  a  little,  he 
opened  his  eyes,  and  tried  to  speak ;  but  for  a  while 
did  not  articulate  a  word  distinctly,  except,  "  Come  ! 
Come!"  I  said  to  a  friend,  who  stood  nearby: 
"It  is  so  hard  that  I  cannot  understand  what  he 
says."     He  heard  what  I  said,  and  looking  at  me 


254  THE  LIFE  OF 

earnestly,  he  said,  distinctly  :  u  Why,  I  said  it  three 
times."  He  had  tried  three  times  to  tell  me  some* 
thing ;  but  failed  to  speak  so  as  to  be  understood* 
In  a  moment  there  came  a  great  earnestness  into 
his  eyes,  as  he  grasped  my  hands,  saying,  "  Be 
quick !"  and  drew  me  to  him,  and  kissed  me,  look* 
ing  into  my  eyes  as  though  there  was  something  he 
wanted  to  make  me  understand.  In  a  moment,  he 
drew  me  to  him  again,  saying,  "Be  quick  1"  and 
kissed  me.  After  he  did  this,  he  said,  u  There  is 
rest  beyond  the  skies,"  or  "  There  is  rest  in  the 
skies. H  Three  or  four  times  he  said,  "  Be  quick  !" 
as  though  he  had  but  a  moment  in  which  to  say 
"farewell."  He  held  my  hands  with  a  close  grasp, 
and  continued  trying  to  speak  *  his  head  and  lips 
were  moving,  and  a  faint  sound  could  be  heard ,*  a 
murmuring  of  inarticulate  words,  until  he  sank,  to 
speak  no  more. 

The  doctor  came,  gave  him  medicine,  and  went 
to  see  the  physician  who  had  attended  him  during 
his  sickness,  and  who  had  been  sent  for ;  but  he 
was  not  able  to  leave  his  room,  and  returned  in 
time  to  see  him 

"  Breathe  his  life  out  sweetly  there*" 

Thus,  he  quietly,  peacefully,  "  fell  asleep  in  Jesus," 
about  thirty  minutes  after  twelve  o'clock,  Tuesday, 
December  15th,  1874. 

OBSEQUIES   AND   MEMORIAL   SERVICES   IN 
HONOR  OP  REV.  ADAM  CROOKS. 

"The  services  at  the  residence  were  conducted 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  255 

by  Rev.  Elijah  Gaylord,  late  President  of  the  Sy- 
racuse Conference.     He  spoke  as  follows  : 

"Dearly  beloved  friends,  we  have  met  at  this 
house  of  mourning,  and  would  call  upon  our  hearts 
and  all  that  is  within  us  to  magnify  His  grace 
which  has  distinguished  us  as  the  monuments  of 
God's  amazing  mercy.  We  all  mourn  and  feel 
deeply  afflicted,  and  yet  we  feel  that  God  doeth  all 
things  well.  We  know  there  is  one  heart  that 
bleeds  at  this  providence.  There  are  many  who 
sympathize.  Deeply  afflicted,  we  shall  remember 
with  sadness  this  event  for  many  days,  but  we  hope 
and  trust  that  God  will  bless  this  affliction,  deep  as 
it  is,  to  all  who  were  connected  with  our  beloved 
brother  who  has  departed.  We  feel  that  we  had, 
all  of  us,  an  interest  in  him.  He  has  been,  in  a 
certain  sense,  public  property.  We  feel,  deeply 
feel  the  loss  of  our  departed  brother,  and  while  we 
mourn  we  can  but  realize  that  our  loss  is  his  infi- 
nite and  eternal  gain.  We  can  say  in  the  language 
of  one  of  old,  '  The  Lord  gave  and  the  Lord  hath 
taken  away;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 
May  the  spirit  of  the  Lord,  the  consolation  of  his 
grace,  and  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  rain  down 
upon  this  dear  sister,  and  all  the  friends  of  our 
departed  brother,  and  may  we  all  share  in  the  same 
grace  and  mercy.  We  bless  the  name  of  God  that 
He  has  spared  our  deceased  brother  so  long,  to  the 
Connection,  and  has  made  him  so  useful.  May  his 
mantle  fall  upon  some,  yea,  upon  many  devoted 
servants  of  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  fit  them  for 


256  THE  LIFE  OF 

the  important  duties  that  he  has  so  ably  conducted/ 
and  may  the  dear  Lord  enable  us  still  to  live  and 
triumph  in  his  grace. 

"  He  then  closed  the  services  by  prayer. 

"  SERVICES   AT   THE    CHURCH. 

"  Memorial  services  at  the  Wesleyan  church. 

"  The  church  was  hung  with  black  and  white^ 
arranged  in  festoons  around  the  entire  interior; 
with  the  pulpit  heavily  draped  with  black  cloth 
adorned  with  vines.  Within  the  chancel  rail,  on 
the  communion  table,  both  also  draped,  stood  a 
large  and  elegant  cross  composed  of  calla  lilies 
and  white  flowers.  Another  cross  of  white  flow- 
ers, and  an  elaborate  crown  and  cross  of  the  same 
pure  material,  camillias,  japonicas,  double  white 
primroses,  daphne  odare,  with  white  fringe  chri- 
santhemums,  the  cross  sprinkled  over  with  sinilax? 
and  the  crown  with  white  rosebuds,  adorned  the 
coflin. 

u  The  remains,  enclosed  in  an  elegant  rosewood 
casket,  were  borne  by  the  following  named  gentle- 
men as  pall-bearers  :— 

"  Rev.  S.  H.  Foster,  pastor  of  the  First  Wesleyan 
Church  of  Syracuse. 

"  Rev.  L.  N.  Stratton,  assistant  editor  of  the 
American  Wesleyan. 

"  Rev.  D.  S.  Kinney,  President  of  the  Allegheny 
Conference. 

"Rev;  J.  P.  Betker,  President  of  New  York 
Conference.       * 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS7  257 

"  Rev.  A.  S.  Wightman,  President  of  Syracuse 
Conference. 

"  Rev.  N.  Wardner,  President  of  Champlain  Con- 
ference. 

"  Rev.  G.  L.  Paine,  Mexico,  N.  Y. 

"  Rev.  A.  P.  Dempsey,  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y, 

"  Rev.  E.  Barnetson,  Groton,  N.  Y. 

"  Rev.  S.  Burgess,  Blodgetts,  Mills. 

"  Rev.  E.  Gaylord,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

"  The  relatives  and  friends  of  the  deceased  fol- 
lowed, Mrs.  Crooks  being  supported  by  her  brother, 
Edwin  Willits,  Esq.,  of  Monroe,  Michigan,  while 
sympathizing  friends  and  neighbors  filled  the  house 
to  its  utmost  capacity. 

"  The  services,  which  were  under  the  direction 
of  the  pastor,  Rev.  S.  H.  Foster,  were  opened  with 
reading  of  the  hymn,  "Unveil  thy  bosom,  faithful 
tomb,"  by  the  Rev.  Seth  Burgess,  followed  with 
prayer  by  the  Rev.  A.  F.  Dempsey,  the  attending 
clergy  kneeling  around  the  chancel. 

"  Selections  from  the*xxiii  Psalm,  "  The  Lord  is 
my  shepherd,"  and  from  1  Corinthians,  xv,  "As  we 
have  borne  the  image  of  the  earthly,  so  also  we 
shall  bear  the  image  of  the  heavenly,"  were  read 
by  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Betker,  of  New  York. 

"  The  hymn,  "  How  blest  the  righteous  when  he 
dies,"  was  then  sung. 

"  Rev.  S.  H.  Foster  announced  that  short  address- 
es would  be  made  by  several  friends  and  co-labor- 
ers of  the  deceased,  many  of  whom  had  come  from 
a  distance  to  attend  these  memorial  services. 


258  THE  LIFE  OP 

"  As  for  myself,  little  did  I  think,  when  last  I 
shook  hands  with  our  departed  brother,  that  he 
was  so  soon  to  be  taken  from  us.  On  that  occa- 
sion, as  I  took  him  by  the  hand  to  say  good-bye,  a 
smile  played  upon  his  face  and  he  said  to  me,  "All 
is  right,  brother,  all  is  right."  We  are  here,  as  a 
Church  and  congregation,  as  mourners  to-day.  But 
we  mourn  not  as  those  without  hope.  There  are 
many  outside  of  our  own  Church  and  congregation, 
who  are  in  deep  sympathy  with  us  in  our  affliction . 
Our  departed  brother  was  to  us  a  leader,  and  in 
the  relations  he  sustained  to  us  he  was  our  head. 
When  in  our  exodus,  we  came  to  the  Red  Sea,  the 
voice  of  his  words,  as  he  essayed  to  speak  on  God's 
behalf,  were,  'Co  Forward!'  He  was  our  Moses? 
who  was  'faithful  in  all  his  house,'  like  as  ancient 
Moses,  in  all  the  relations  he  sustained  to  us  as  a 
denomination,  bearing  testimony  as  did  Moses  of 
old.  He  will  no  more  be  sewn  by  us  'in  the  taber- 
nacle of  our  congregation.'  No  more  will  he  come 
forth  from  the  revealed  glory  of  God's  approbation 
and  presence,  to  cheer  us  on.  But  our  hope  is, 
that  God  will  raise  up  unto  us  a  Joshua  in  his 
stead. 

"  Two  verses  of  the  837th  hymn  were  then  sung. 

"  When  floating  on  life's  troubled  sea, 

By  storms  and  tempests  driven, 
Hope  with  her  radiant  fiuger  points 

To  brighter  scenes  in  heaven. 

^'She  bids  the  storms  of  life  to  cease 
The  troubled  breast  be  calm  ; 


BEV.  ADAM  CROOKS-  259 

And  in  the  wounded  heart  she  pours 
Keligion's  healing  balm." 

REV.  J".  P.  BETKER,  OF  NEW  YORK. 

"  None,  perhaps,  who  are  present  on  this  occasion 
are  in  any  condition  to  speak.  We  are  mourners 
around  the  coffin  of  our  best  friend,  and  we  cannot 
speak  as  in  calmer  moments  we  might.  I  came 
nearly  three  hundred  miles  to  attend  this  funeral. 
In  my  experience  as  a  man,  I  have  'found  very  few 
real  friendships  in  the  world.  I  can  count  on  my 
fingers'  ends  the  true  and  genuine  friends  of  my 
heart.  One,  is  in  that  coffin  to-day.  I  feel  ill- 
qualified  to  speak  here.  But  in  thinking  of  my 
brother  I  can  think  of  one  thing  as  trne  of  him — 
his  great  soul ;  his  great  mind.  He  possessed  the 
true  elements  of  greatness ;  and  if  I  were  to  at- 
tempt to  impress  anything  upon  the  brethren  here, 
it  would  be  the  imitation  of  that  greatness  of  soul 
that  distinguished  him.  All  true  greatness  has  its 
beginning  in  piety.  I  knew  him  when  he  was  al- 
most a  beardless  boy.  He  and  I  started  in  the 
ministry  at  the  same  period,  belonged  to  the  same 
Conference. 

I  remember  the  first  place  that  I  ever  preached 
as  a  Wesleyan  minister ;  the  next  one  who  follow  - 
ed  me  was  brother  Adam  Crooks . 

I  say  true  greatness  begins  in  real  piety ;  and  I 
never  knew  one  truly  great  the  genuineness  of 
whose  piety  there  could  be  any  suspicion.  The 
foundational  basis  of  true  greatness  is  integrity. 
And  if  there  was  one  among  us  distinguished  for 


260  THE  LIFE  OF 

truth ;  for  integrity ;  for  solidity  in  this  respect,  it 
was  Adam  Crooks  ;  a  man  of  truth  in  all  the  de- 
velopments of  his  character;  in  all  the  manifesta- 
tions of  his  spirit.  Wherever  Adam  Crooks  was, 
there  was  a  true  man.  True  greatness  too  is 
characterized  by  a  boundlessness  of  benevolence. 
A  great  soul  cannot  nurse  itself  in  selfishness. 
His  spirit  was  a  broad  catholic  spirit,  that  took  in 
all  mankind.  There  was  not  a  child  who  was  be- 
neath his  notice.  The  last  time  that  we  put  up 
together  at  our  Annual  Conference,  we  slept, 
ate,  and  talked  together;  and  all  the  little  chil- 
dren about  the  house  had  a  sweet  word  from  him. 
I  never  knew  him  to  be  otherwise  than  kindly  dis- 
posed in  every  respect.  And  because  he  was  thus 
disposed  he  made  himself  what  he  was — great. 

True  greatness,  too,  is  estimated  by  its  depths 
of  principles^and  its  breadth  of  measures.  I  never 
met  a  man  that  I  thought  was  so  perfectly  settled 
in  what  he  believed  to  be  true  as  this  dear  brother. 

"  True  greatness  is  distinguished  by  a  moral 
courage  that  takes  no  account  of  the  odds  that  are 
against  it;  makes  no  arrangement  for  defeat,  and 
assures  itself  of  victory  because  its  cause  is  just. 

"  I  do  not  think  I  could  say  anything  more  true 
of  our  brother  than  this;  that  he  took  no  odds  of 
the  mighty  forces  that  were  against  him.  He  went 
down  to  North  Carolina  in  the  days  when  it  was 
as  much  as  man's  life  was  worth  to  call  himself  an 
Abolitionist ;  and  he'  passed  through  fearful  prison 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  261 

scenes  there,  and  all  through  the  history  of  the 
great  war  against  the  fearful  system  of  slavery,  he 
went  right  into  the  very  heat  of  the  battle,  not 
asking  whether  we  should  be  defeated,  but  having 
the  most  firm  confidence  in  the  justice  of  our  cause — 
a  cause  which  he  lived  to  see  so  gloriously  triumph. 

"True  greatness  knows  no  fraudulent  conceal- 
ments of  its  principles  or  aims,  and  whatever  you 
and  I  may  think  of  this  brother,  especially  those 
who  differ  with  him  on  the  question  of  Secret  So- 
cieties, we  must  give  him  credit  for  this  statement, 
and  it  grew  out  of  the  very  nature  of  his  character 
that  'True  greatness  knows  no  fraudulent  conceal- 
ment of  its  principles  or  aims.'  He  was  a  day-light 
man.  His  works  were  done  in  the  light,  and  not 
in  the  darkness,  and  so  he  stood  broadly  and  firm- 
ly fixed  in  his  relation  to  truth. 

"  True  greatness  may  not  always  convert  its  op- 
posers  to  its  own  standard,  but  it  will  command  re- 
spect. And  I  venture  to  say  that  although  our 
brother  was  firmly  seated  in  his  views,  and  chal- 
lenged all  combat  as  to  the  truth  of  his  position, 
there  is  not  a  man  in  this  city  whose  opinion  is 
worthy  of  respect  who  would  not  say,  "Adam 
Crooks  has  deserved  my  regard  and  respect." 

REV.  G,  L.  PAINE,  OF  MEXICO,  N".  T. 

"As  has  been  said,  we  are  mourners  here  to-day. 
We  cannot  talk  as  we  would  under  other  circum- 
stances. But  I  would  say,  I  have  been  associated 
in  Conference  capacity  with  this  dear  brother  in  the 


262  THE  LIFE  OF 

Rochester  Conference,  ever  since  he  has  been  here  as 
Editor  and  Agent,  up  to  this  last  Spring.  Our  first 
meeting  was  a  happy  one.  Favorable  opinions 
were  formed  on  the  first  look  I  had  of  him,  and  as 
we  met  from  time  to  time  in  Conference  relation, 
every  word  seemed  to  add  to  the  respect  and  the 
regard  1  had  for  him.  Often  in  our  Conference 
relations  knotty  questions  came  up;  something 
that  appeared  personal,  whereby  feelings  might  be 
touched,  and  I  have  seen  the  dear  brother  start 
across  the  Conference  floor  to  some  person,  and  it 
seemed  as  if  the  magic  touch  of  his  hand,  and  the 
words  dropped  from  his  lips,  would  quiet  every- 
thing down,  and  calm  all  heated  feeling.  And 
then  standing  anywhere  on  the  Conference  floor, 
when  a  difficult  question  would  come  up,  and  it 
seemed  that  there  might  be  a  break,  he  would  un- 
ravel and  point  out  the  course,  and  the  Conference, 
seemingly,  would  take  the  course,  and  all  would 
be  harmony.  These  things  as  they  fell  from  his 
lips  brought  that  brother  to  my  heart. 

"  I  stand  here  to-day  as  a  second  mourner  with 
these  brethren  that  have  stood  by  him;  and  my 
trust  is  that  by  and  by  we  shall  meet  this  loved 
one  where  parting  scenes  will  never  come. 

"  Two  verses  of  the  852nd  hymn  were  then  sung. 

"I  would  not  lire  alway;  I  ask  not  to  stay, 
Where  storm  after  storm  rises  dark  o'er  the  way ; 
The  few  lurid  mornings  that  dawn  on  us  here 
Are  enough  for  life's  woes,  full  enough  for  its  cheer." 


KEY.  ADAM  CROOKS.  263 

"  KEY.    SETH    BUEGESS    OE   BLODGETT'S   MILLS,    N.    Y., 

Spoke  as  follows.— '  There  is  very  much  that 
might  be  said  in  regard  to  our  brother  who  is 
gone;  much  that  to  our  mind  is  interesting;  but 
there  is  one  trait  of  his  character  to  which  I  wish 
to  call  your  attention  just  a  few  moments ;  and  that 
is  as  an  honest  man  and  as  a  successful  financier. 
At  the  time  that  brother  Crooks  was  elected  Agent, 
if  my  memory  is  correct,  I  was  elected  as  one  of 
the  members  of  the  Book  Committee ;  and  that,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  brought  us  into  an  association 
that  we  otherwise  should  never  have  had ;  and  I 
can  say  in  truth,  that  with  all  brother  Crook's  oth- 
er good  qualities,  he  was  an  honest  man ;  honest 
I  believe  to  the  very  letter.  It  is  one  of  the  prom- 
inent principles  of  the  Christian  religion  to  be 
strictly  honest.  Brother  Crooks  has. always  sought 
to  have  his  doings  examined  and  investigated ; 
and  when  I  proposed  a  little  less  than  four  years 
ago,  to  have  the  books  of  the  agent  audited,  broth- 
er Crooks  favored  it  at  once ;  coveted  it ;  wished 
to  have  it  done.  We  appointed  a  committee  who 
examined  the  books  and  everything  was  found  sat- 
isfactory. 

"  Brother  Crooks  was  not  only  an  honest  man, 
but  he  has  been  a  very  successful  business  man  in 
our  employment.  It  would  require  more  time  than 
I  have  to  give  you  much  of  an  idea  of  brother 
Crooks'  business  transactions.  But  it  is  enough 
to  say  that  when  he  became  our  servant  in  this  de- 
partment, we  were  eKcessively  poor;  we  were  so 


264  THE  LIFE  OP 

poor  that  the  retiring  agent  discouraged  us  from 
trying  to  carry  forward  the  enterprise.  Brother 
Crooks  has  done  well.  We  are  not  rich  to-day? 
but  we  are  by  several  thousand  dollars  better  off 
financially  than  we  were  when  brother  Crooks 
came  in  here  as  our  Agent.  Time,  as  I  said,  fails 
to  tell  you  what  he  has  done ;  but  his  life  with  us, 
or  so  far  as  we  knew  of,  has  not  only  been  a  life  of 
humble,  devoted  piety,  but  it  lias  been  a  life  of  suc- 
cessful business.  And  he  succeeded,  perhaps,  be- 
yond what  any  other  man  we  have  would  have 
done.  As  to  this  we  do  not  know ;  but  we  trust 
that  God  in  His  providence  will  raise  up  another 
man  to  take  brother  Crooks7  place  and  carry  for- 
ward that  enterprise  in  which  brother  Crooks' 
whole  soul  and  body  was  enlisted.  I  felt  more, 
when  I  came  here,  like  taking  a  seat  down  there 
with  those  mourners,  than  I  did  like  standing  here ; 
and  I  did  not  expect  to  stand  here.  But  I  am 
glad  to  say  this  much,  and  I  believe  that  we  who 
knew  him  can  bear  testimony  to  the  same  truth, 
that  brother  Crooks  was  an  honest  man. 

REV.  A.  S.  WlGHTMAN  OF  SYRACUSE  CONFERENCE. 

"  My  relations  with  our  departed  brother,  as 
many  in  this  congregation  know,  were  very  inti- 
mate. I  was  his  pastor  for  some  years,  and  I  can 
see  now  just  the  pew  where  he  used  to  sit,  with  his 
open,  loving,  manly  face  fixed  upon  me,  as  I  would 
endeavor  to  preach  the  Gospel.  It  is  a  pleasant 
thing  to  remember  to-day  that  he  always  treated 


ftEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  265 

me  with  the  most  profound  respect,  and  never  al- 
lowed an  opportunity  to  pass  without  giving  me 
words  of  marked  encouragement.  Often  when  I 
have  felt  despondent  and  discouraged,  I  have 
gained  new  courage  from  his  hearty  and  cheerful 
words,  which  always  seemed  to  be  appropriate  to 
the  very  time.  There  is  a  kind  of  friendship  that 
might  be  called  sunshine  friendship.  It  is  easy  to 
be  friendly  to  everybody  when  it  costs  us  nothing  ; 
but  it  is  quite  another  thing  to  be  a  friend  in 
need — when  there  requires  to  be  some  little  outlay 
on  the  part  of  the  one  showing  that  friendship,  in 
order  that  the  benefit  designed  may  be  imparted, 

"  In  my  experience  with  this  dear  brother,  I  have 
seen  it  verified  many  times  that  he  was  truly  a 
friend  in  need.  Often  in  times  of  trouble  and  sor- 
row he  has  taken  me  by  the  hand  with  the  gen- 
erous tear  quivering  in  his  eye,  and  has  said, 
*  Brother,  do  not  be  discouraged ;  trust  in  God  and 
look  higher.'  Oh !  as  such  reminiscences  as  these 
come  to  my  memory,  I  feel  indeed  like  a  mourner 
on  this  occasion. 

"  An  incident  occurred  previous  to  the  election  of 
our  present  editor,  Rev.  L.  N.  Stratton.  Brother 
Crooks  found  it  necessary  to  leave  the  office  a  part 
of  the  time  to  attend  to  business  in  distant  parts. 
He  was  in  the  habit  of  leaving  the  editorial  work 
in  my  hands.  On  one  occasion — perhaps  the  first 
occasion  of  his  absence — I  said,  'Brother  Crooks, 
what  instructions  will  you  give  me  now  in  refer- 
ence to  the  management  of  the  paper  during  your 
12 


%$€  THE  LIFE  OF       a 

absence.'  ?  Nothing,  my  brother/  said  he, '  But  the 
exercise  of  your  own  judgment;  only  remember 
this  one  thing— strike  hard  and  high  for  the  truth/ 
And  there  was  an  expression  of  nobility,  of  Chris- 
tian strength  of  character,  that  he  made  at  that 
time,  and  has  left  upon  my  mind  a  marked  impres- 
sion, I  seem  to  have  adopted  it  as  a  sort  of  rule 
of  life. 

"  I  feel  that  I  have  lost  a  friend  and  a  brother. 
Such  a  one  perhaps  I  shall  not  meet  again.  But 
this  thought  is  an  especial  comfort  to  me.  I  have 
seen  enough  of  the  world's  trials  and  sorrows.  I 
feel  very  often  now  a  longing  for  quiet  rest ;  and 
I  know  that  I  shall  find  rest  in  that  home  to  which 
our  dear  brother  has  gone,  where  there  are  no 
tears  and  where  sorrows  never  come." 

JiEV.    D.   S..   KENSTElT,    PRESIDENT  OE  ALLEGHENY 
qOETERENCE. 

"  Receiving  at  the  midnight  hour,  over  three 
hundred  miles  distant,  the  announcement  of  the  sad 
bereavement  that  convenes  us  to-day,  I  stepped 
across  the  way  to  one  of  our  "fathers  in  Israel/7 
one  whose  name  is  well  known  as  a  minister 
among  us,  in  advanced  life,  walking  closely  with 
God,  and  broke  to  him  the  sad  intelligence,  said, 
"  Father  Lamb,  why  could  not  God  have  taken  me 
and  left  brother  Crooks  a  few  years  longer?" 
We  both  knelt  before  God,  and  I  know  that  our 
hearts  were  so  moved,  that  cheerfully,  had  it  been 
God's  will,  we  would  have  died  that  he  might  have 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS,  267 

lived.      I  knew  nothing  about  the  circumstances 
of  the  case,  but  I  thought  perhaps  my  dear  brother 
Willits    here,   was    so    circumstanced   in   the    far 
West  that  he  could  not  be  here  and  sympathize 
with  his  sister,  and  the  wife  of  the  dear  departed 
might  perhaps  desire  me  as  among  the  mourners, 
and  I  therefore  decided  to  come,  and  to  willingly 
sit,  if  it  might  be,  by  her  side,  she  having  been  my 
teacher   when   a   boy,  and   being   my   teacher    at 
the  time  of  her    engagement  and   marriage   with 
brother    Crooks.     I   can    say   that  I  heartily   en- 
dorse— having  been  most  intimate  for  over  twen- 
ty   years    with    our    departed    brother,    all    that 
has   been    said    of  his  traits    of  character.      But 
I  wish  just  here  to  say  that  brother  Crooks  was  a 
growingly  pious  man.      He   knew   the   worth   of 
prayer,  as  perhaps   many  of  us   do  not.     I  have 
personally,  in  those  fearful  conflicts  of  the  recent 
years  of  his  official  relationship  here  among  you, 
and  with  us  as  a  Christian  family ;  I  have  known 
him,  like  the  dear  Master  in  the  days  of  his  incar- 
nation, to  spend  the  whoh  night  in  prayer.     And  the 
last   years,    and   months,    and   weeks  of  his  life, 
marked  a  growth  in   intense   personal  piety  and 
devotion  to   Cod.      The   last  work    that   he   has 
dictated,  that  is  in  our  hands,  that  he  sent  to  me 
in  pamphlet  form  a  few   days   only  ago, — "  Pro- 
cesses   of    Salvation," — in    which    the    distinctive 
Wesleyanic  and  Methodistic  view  of  entire  conse- 
cration  to   God   and   sanctification,    is  so   clearly 
defined  and  scripturally  enforced,  has   not   been 


268 


THE  LIFE  OF 


with  hiin  a  simple  theory,  but  has  been  an  experi- 
mental reality. 

"  We  frequently  have  corresponded,  as  well  as 
had  personal  conversation,  these  recent  months, 
upon  this  subject.  And  while  brother  Crooks  was 
a  thorough- going  reformer,  (all  that  has  been  said 
with  reference  to  that,  I  can  say  amen  to)  yet  after 
all,  he  did  not  desire  the  continuance  of  our  or- 
ganization simply  on  account  of  our  reforms.  He 
wanted  us  to  maintain  the  truth  and  the  right,  and 
to  be  a  distinctively  holy  people.  The  last  letter 
I  got  from  him  before  he  started  upon  his  Western 
tour — which  proved  in  my  estimation  the  fatal  tour 
of  his  earthly  career — he  sat  down  and  wrote  to 
me  a  short  note.  He  evidently  had  been  in  the 
office,  engaged  in  earnest  wrestling  prayer ;  said 
he,  "  Brother  Kinney,  join  me  in  praying  that  our 
Churches  may  be  set  on  fire  of  God."  Oh,  how 
my  heart  responded,  and  how  I  have  endeavored 
to  keep  that  request.  And  as  I  learn  in  the  de- 
parting moments  of  our  brother;  getting  a 
glimpse  of  the  glory  that  was  being  revealed, 
and  uttering,  perhaps,  in  not  the  clearest  articu- 
lation, but  yet  the  sentiment  that,  "  There  is  rest 
in  the  skies."  I  feel  that  there  is  rest  in  the 
glory  of  God's  grace,  or  rather,  taking  the  lan- 
guage of  a  letter  not  long  since  received,  that 
there  is,  '  room  in  God's  golden,  spiritual  chariot 
for  us  all  to  ride.'  By  his  help  and  grace  I  mean 
to  ride  there,  and  I  expect  to  greet  our  dear  de- 
parted brother  in  the  skies  where  '  there  is  rest.' " 


BEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  269 

REV.    D.    D.   LORE,    D.  D.,    EDITOR    OF    THE    NORTHERN 
CHRISTIAN  ADVOCATE. 

"  Dearly  beloved  Christian  brethren ;  my  friends 
and  myself,  are  here  this  afternoon  to  express  to 
you  our  deep  sympathy  in  your  affliction,  and  our 
Christian  love.  We  are  not  here  for  the  purpose 
of  eulogizing  the  brother  which  you  have  lost, 
You  knew  his  worth,  well.  I  have  been  impressed 
by  the  remarks  made,  and  am  satisfied,  and  indeed 
was  satisfied  before  this,  that  he  was  a  great  and 
good  man.  You  have  lost  from  your  branch  of  the 
Church  of  Christ,  a  leader ;  a  strong  and  courage- 
ous leader;  one  who  never  feared  to  do  the  right. 
I  loved  brother  Crooks  personally. 

H.  Similarity  of  profession  brought  us  into  con- 
tact. I  met  him  frequently.  I  never  met  him 
without  pleasure.  J  never  met  him  without  dis- 
covering real  manhood.  We  differed  with  regard 
to  some  things,  and  why  should  we  not  differ. 
We  agreed  to  differ.  Yet  I  loved  him  as  a 
Christian  brother,  and  his  name  and  memory  in 
our  Church,  so  far  as  he  is  known,  I  am  sure  is 
respected.  He  commanded  respect  as  has  been  said 
by  one  of  his  brethren  here. 

"  But  we  are  not  here  to  occupy  time  so  precious, 
and  it  belongs  to  others  who  stood  in  closer  rela- 
tions to  this  dear  man  than  we  stand ; — closer  in 
many  respects,  but  not  closer  in  others.  We  are 
one  in  spirit.  We  are  all  brethren  in  Christ  Jesus. 
We  look  forward  together  through  the  blinding 
tears  of  earth,  to  that  happy  day  when  we  shall 


270  the  life  of 

meet  with  our  Savior  in  yonder  brighter  clime,  and 
there  greet  each  other  as  one  common  band  of 
brothers.  "  May  God  bless  the  afflicted  Church," 
is  the  prayer  of  those  I  am  permitted  to  represent 
here.  May  God  bless  you,  dear  brethren,  and  may 
you  be  a  light  in  the  world,  set  for  holiness  of 
heart  and  of  life,  pushing  forward  the  victories  of 
the  Cross," 

EEV.    L.    N.    STRATTON    OF    THE  AMERICAN  WESLEY  AN. 

"  It  is  almost  useless  for  me  to  attempt  to  say 
anything  to-day.  No  words  I  might  use  could 
express  the  feeling  of  my  heart.  Language  is 
lame;  it  goes  limping  after  thought.  The  inti- 
mate relationship  that  I  sustained  to  brother 
Crooks  as  co-editor,  was  such  as  to  place  us  in 
constant  communion  with  each  other.  We  saw 
each  other  by  day  and  by  night ;  at  all  hours  and 
all  seasons.  I  loved  him  much.  The  death  of  no 
one  outside  my  own  family  relations  could  have 
caused  me  such  deep  sorrow  as  his  own  departure. 
But  he  is  gone.  In  my  dreams  he  comes  back. 
He  gives  me  counsel  again  as  he  did  while  here. 
He  came  to  my  office,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  night 
before  last,  to  tell  me  something,  as  he  has  often 
done  in  the  past. 

"  He  had  peculiarities  that  fitted  him,  especially 
for  the  leadership  that  he  had.  He  turned  back 
for  no  storms.  He  was  courageous.  There  was 
no  night  so  dark  as  to  keep  him  at  home  when 
duty  called  him  away j  no  train  going  so  late  at 


BEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  271 

night,  or  so  early  in  the  morning  that  he  could  not 
take  it.  The  miles  were  not  too  many,  nor  the 
roads  too  bad,  nor  he  too  weary,  to  fill  his  engage- 
ments at  the  hour.  If  the  railroad  station  were 
twenty  miles  from  where  he  might  labor  on  the 
Sabbath,  and  he  should  take  a  train  at  six  o'clock 
on  Monday  morning,  he  would  be  there,  even  if  he 
had  to  travel  the  distance  through  rain  und  dark- 
ness, in  an  open  wagon.  There  was  no  effort  that 
it  was  too  hard  for  him  to  make,  and  make  cheer- 
fully. He  dared  everything.  He  rode  over  every- 
thing. He  made  events,  as  it  seemed,  if  they  did 
not  occur.  He  bent  all  his  energies  with  a  will 
that  was  ruthless,  to  push  forward  the  enterprises 
m  which  his  soul  was  enlisted.  We  never,  it 
seems  to  me  now,  shall  see  his  like  again.  But 
43-od  knows.  He  can  raise  up  such  agencies  as  he 
wants,  and  can  do  his  work  without  any  of  us  if 
he  wishes  us  removed.  Oh,  how  gladly  would  I 
be  there  in  that  coffin,  if  that  would  place  him 
herei  But  God  knows  best.  He  is  our  leader. 
Jesus  is  our  friend ;  and  more  than  ever  I  feel  like 
putting  my  head  on  his  breast  and  saying,  •  Thy 
will  be  done.^ 

"In  our  prayer-meetings  our  dear  brother  has 
especially  been  remembered.  I  suppose  a  few 
nights  since,  when  there  were  so  many  engaged  in 
prayer  for  his  recovery,  that  victory  would  turn 
for  us.  For  at  first  it  seemed  to  us  that  we  could 
saot?  must  not  have  it  bo;  but  at  length  all  said, 


272  THE  LIFE  OF 

1  Thy  will,  0  God,  be  done,'  I  then  looked  for 
victory,  but  God  knew  best,  and  it  is  done. 

u  ^  great  load  rests  upon  our  hearts,  upon  our 
lives,  upon  our  Connection.  We  who  are  brethren 
in  this  work,  must  lift  the  harder  now,  that  the 
weight  rests  upon  us  the  more  heavily. 

"  Our  brother  was  a  man  who  had  a  kind  word1 
for  every  one.  He  was  kind  in  his  affections  for 
all  denominations  of  the  Christian  Church.  I  see 
around  me  here  brethren  of  whom  I  have  heard 
him  speak  so  highly — brethren  in  the  ministry* 
Could  I  speak  his  words  again,  how  gladly  would 
I  give  them  to  these  brethren  of  other  Churches,, 
who  mourn  with  us  his  sad  loss.  His  voice  we 
shall  no  more  hear ;  but  his  words  of  admonition 
and  encouragement  rest  in  our  hearts  and  in  our 
memories.  We  shall  cherish  them.  We  pray 
that  God  may  fit  us  for  all  he  is  fitting  for  usr 
and  help  us  to  bear  the  burdens  that  are  resting 
upon  us. 

"  My  dear  friends,  let  us  be  just  what  the  Lord 

would  have  us  to  be,  that  we  may  meet  our  dear 
brother  in  the  Paradise  of  God." 

REV.  N.  WARDNER,  PRESIDENT  OE  CHAMPLArN 
CONEERENCE. 

"  Sad— deeply,  solemnly  sad  is  this  funeral  hour. 
Soul's  fondest  ties  are  riven,  and  the  falling  tears 
of  sable  widowhood,  in  silent,  speechless  grief  give 
evidence  that  the  soul's  full  fountain  of  sorrow  is 
broken  up.     Friends  from  near  and  far  gather,  and 


ftEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  273 

their  mingled  sighs  and  tears  say,  '  See  how  they 
loved  him.'  For  a  prince  and  a  great  man  is  fallen 
in  Israel  to-day;  but  thank  God,  fallen  with 
his  well  girt  armor  bright  with  use,  and  his  face 
toward  the  foe.  For,  our  dear  brother,  in  what- 
ever moral  conflicts  he  was  engaged,  dared  to 
do  right  and  to  suffer  for  that  right  doing  if  need 
be.  Early  in  life  he  laid  his  heart,  his  body,  his 
all  at  the  foot  of  the  Cross,  and  Heaven  sanctified 
the  offering.  And  he  went  forth  to  labor  in  his 
Master's  vineyard  clothed  with  power,  and  when — 
I  remember  with  gratitude — when  freedom  and 
oppression  grappled  in  mortal  conflict  in  our  land, 
down  in  the  Oarolinas,  his  voice  echoed  the  notes 
of  a  freedom-loving  Gospel.  In  the  very  teeth  of 
oppression,  our  brother  spoke  words  of  liberty. 
He  dared  to  beard  the  lion  in  his  lair,  and  though 
a  ruthless  mob  thrust  him  into  a  loathsome,  South- 
ern prison,  yet  he  lived  to  bless  his  own  liberty 
and  to  see  the  soul  of  a  nation's  martyred  Presi- 
dent go  up  to  God  with  the  broken  manacles  of 
four  millions  of  freed  men  in  his  hands.  And  on 
those  blood-rusted  manacles  there  were  scars  roe- 
thinks,  made  by  the  burnished  steel  of  our  brother 
as  he  wielded  the  sword  of  eternal  truth  for  liberty 
and  the  right.  Who  wonders  that  a  man  who 
dared  to  stand  and  defend  the  right  in  the  face  of 
any  and  every  oppression ;  who  wonders  that  to 
day — a  leader  as  he  was,  and  revered  and  loved 
as  we  learned  to  revere  and  love  him— that  we 
12* 


274  THE  LIFE  OF 

gather  about  his  bier  and  shed  tears  of  affection  \ 
pearly  drops  of  love ;  for  we  loved  him,  and  the 
Church  bows  with  speechless  grief,  and  through 
eyes  suffused  with  tears,  looks  up  and  struggles  to 
say, — Heaven  help  us  to  say — '  Thy  will  be  done.' 
The  cause  of  reform  with  which  he  was  identified 
in  every  phase,  bows  and  weeps ;  for  a  friend  is 
gone.  That  heart,  that  hand,  that  voice  which  is 
still  to-day  was  identified  with  every  good  word 
and  work.  Every  holy  enterprise  found  a  place  in 
his  heart,  in  his  sympathies,  in  his  prayers.  May 
his  falling  mantle  wrap  some  spirit  with  the  same 
devotion:  the  same  consecration;  yea, wrap  many." 
"  Mysterious  are  the  ways  of  Providence ;  a  busy 
Providence  does  not  stop  to  explain  all  its  whys 
and  wherefores,  and  yet,  I  suppose,  dear  sister 
Crooks  and  afflicted  friends,  the  light  of  Heaven 
will  dispel  all  the  darkness  and  mystery  that  may 
be  gathered  around  this  affliction  from  the  hands  of 
Providence.  Look  up  to  the  light.  For  just  be- 
yond these  heavy  clouds  blazes  the  sunlight  of  eter- 
nal glory.  Our  brother  Kinney  has  told  us,  that 
our  departed  brother  with  his  dying  lips  sought  to 
speak  what  methinks  his  vision  saw  of  life,  bliss 
and  heaven — '  There  is  rest  beyond  the  skies. 
There  is  rest  beyond  the  skies.'  Ah ! — it  is  labor 
here,  it  was  labor  with  him ;  he  coveted  it ;  he  threw 
his  giant  arms  around  it  and  prayed  Heaven  to 
sustain  him  in  it.  It  is  rest  now  for  him  ;  let  it  be 
labor  for  us.  Though  he  was  our  leader  we  mourn, 
and  it   is  right  we  should   mourn;    we  can  but 


"EEV.  IDAM  CROOKS.  2*1$ 

mo  (irn.  ^Tet  yonder,  on  a  throne,  high  and  lifted 
up,  sits  One  who  will  lead  us;  and  methinks, 
amidst  the  storm  which  has  gathered  around  us-, 
though  the  vessel  heaves  and  rocks  beneath  the 
tempest's  power,  X  hear  a  voice  above  the  sound  of 
the  waves,  '  It  is  I :  be  not  afraid ;  trust  thou  in 
Me  and  all  shall  be  well.^  rt 

The  choir  and  congregation  then  united  in  sing- 
ing the  first  two  verses  of  the  808th  hymn. 

Rev.  E.  G-aylord,  of  Syracuse,  dismissed  the  con- 
gregation with  the  benediction. 

The  choir  sang, 

''Asleep  in  Jesus!—  blessed  sleep  !"-*■ 

as  the  large  audience  moved  around  to  view  the 
remains.  Finally  the  coffin  was  closed  and  the  re* 
mains  were  borne  away  to  the  hearse  and  the  char- 
nel  house  in  Oakwood.  There  the  coffin  was  re* 
opened,  and  the  relatives  took  the  final  leave ;  the 
affectionate  wife  placing  tenderly  a  rich  bouquet  of 
white  flowers  beside  the  cheek  of  her  precious  one, 
as  the  last  kind  act  of  affection  before  the  final 
adieu.  This  done,  the  coffin  was  closed  and  low- 
ered into  the  outer  case,  and  left  in  the  house  of 
the  dead  to  await  the  choice  of  a  burial-place. 
The  carriages  were  refilled,  and  we  all  mournfully 
passed  away  through  the  chilly  evening  air,  leav- 
ing the  mortal  part  of  our  beloved  brother  in  its 
cheerless  bed.  Let  him  rest — he  has  often  wea- 
ried ;  let  him  be  quiet  now,  for  often  has  he  borne 
the  weight  of  the  charge  on  the  battlements  of  sin. 


27$  '         THE  LIFE  OF 

KeverecL  honored,  loved;  the  memory  of  his  name 
is  fragrant  with  affection,  and  its  mention  will  be  a 
battle-cry  to  all  our  Churches. 

EXPRESSIONS  OP  SYMPATHY  AND  APPRECIA- 
TION. 

LETTER   EKOM   REV.   L     E,    ROYCE. 

And  so  my  dear  brother  Crooks  sleeps.  Fifty 
years  on  earth,  and  then  away  to  the  cloudless 
land.  I  saw  him  first  Sept.  2nd,  1851,  then  twenty- 
seven  years  of  age.  As  members  of  the  same  Con- 
ferences, we  were  intimate  for  seventeen  years, 
and  for  twenty-three  we  have  met  every  year  save 
one.  In  August  I  saw  him  for  the  last  time.  For 
three  days  we  occupied  the  same  room  and  the 
same  bed.  Our  last  night  together  we  talked  late 
and  lovingly,  all  the  years  of  our  past  were  gone 
over.  Much  that  he  said  was  spoken  in  confidence 
and  must  not  be  repeated.  He  impressed  me  in 
that  night's  talk  with  his  singular  honesty,  and 
manly  affection.  I  have  thought  that  leadership 
had  made  him  a  little  forgetful  of  old  friends.  The 
thought  perished  in  the  warm  words  of  that  mid- 
night hour.  Indeed  I  found  his  love  as  green  as  a 
maiden's  and  as  steady  as  the  star.  I  have  loved 
him  so  much,  I  want,  with  a  trembling  hand,  to 
drop  one  little  flower  on  his  grave.  With  a  figure 
so  commanding,  a  voice  so  full  and  rich,  an  expe- 
rience so  Christian,  a  mind  so  well  stored  with 
practical  truths,  he  could  have  stood  in  the  first 
pulpits,  with  an  executive  and  financial  skill  pos- 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  277 

sessed  by  but  few ;  he  could  have  made  for  him- 
self a  grand  record  in  couuection  with  any  of  the 
great  boards.  He  chose  to  stay  with  a  people 
who,  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  were  feeble,  and 
with  a  small  human  prospect  of  a  permanent  fu- 
ture. In  this  he  proved  his  loyalty  to  heart-con- 
victions and  shamed  others,  who  for  place  and  pelf 
put  these  convictions  under  their  feet.  I  know 
not  that  he  leaves  his  wife  stocks  or  money — he 
leaves  her  what  is  better,- — "  a  good  name."  I 
weep  for  him  as  for  the  kindred  of  my  Father's 
house,  and  extend  to  her  whose  soul  is  now  filled 
with  sorrow  my  prayerful  sympathies.  I  have 
seen  his  birth-place.  I  write  within  a  few  miles 
of  where  he  entered  wedded  life.  I  hope  after  a 
little  to  see  him  on  the  shining  shore."  Till  then 
I  pray  for  his  courage  and  endurance. 

MEMORIAL   MEETING. 

The  sad  news  of  the  death  of  Rev.  Adam  Crooks, 
editor  and  publisher  of  the  American  Wesleyan, 
of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  formerly  for  many  years  pastor 
of  the  Wesleyan  Church  of  this  city,  was  received 
by  his  many  friends  and  personal  acquaintances 
with  extreme  sorrow  and  universal  regret.  An 
impromptu  memorial  service  was  held  at  the 
church  Sunday  morning,  December  27th,  when  ap- 
propriate remarks  were  made  by  the  pastor,  Rev. 
J.  Es  Carroll,  Rev.  Mr,  Sturtevant,  M.  B.  Clark, 
James  Christian  and  others,  all  breathing  the  most 
intense  sorrow  at  the  death  of  Mr.  Crooks,  and  ex- 


278  IHE  LIFE  OF 

pressive  of  their  admiration  of  him  as  a  Christian 
minister  and  friend. 

MEMORIAL    RESOLUTIONS. 

At  the  regular  meeting  of  the  Syracuse  Ministe* 
rial  Association,  held  at  the  parlors  of  the  Fourth 
Presbyterian  Church,  December  2 1st,  1874,  the 
committee  reported  the  following  resolutions, 
which  were  unanimously  adopted. 

Whereas,  Since  the  last  meeting  of  the  Syracuse  Min- 
isterial Association  its  circle  has  been  broken  by  the  death 
of  one  of  its  most  respected  and  honored  members,  Re  V, 
Adam  Crooks,  D.  D.,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  association  has  received  the  sad  tid  - 
ings  of  the  death  of  our  brother  Crooks  with  most  sincere 
and  heart-felt  sorrow. 

Resolved,  That  his  firmer  and  decided  Christian  charac- 
ter, his  eminent  Christian  zeal  and  courage,  his  untiring 
energy  in  every  good  word  and  work,  his  spirit  of  quick 
and  fra:ernal  sympathy,  his  determined  adhesion  to  his 
principles  and  his  confessed  abilities,  have  endeared  him  to 
his  brethren  of  this  association  and  given  him  a  high  place 
in  their  respect. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  the  deep  and  sincere  sympa- 
thy of  this  association  to  his  bereaved  wife  and  kindred. 

Resolved,  That  we  convey  our  heart-felt  condolence  to  the 
denomination  which  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Crooks  has  suffer- 
ed the  loss  of  an  acknowledged  leader. 

Nelson  Millard,    \ 

J.  L.  Darsie, 

H.  A.  Sizer,  V     Com. 

M.  L.  Berger,         ', 

A.  F.   Beard.  J 

EEOM   RELIGIOUS    TELESCOPE. 

A  truly  great  man  in  Israel  has  fallen.     Rev. 
Adam  Crooks,  of  the  American  Wesleyan  Connec- 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  279 

tion,  died  the  15th  of  December,  aged  fifty  years. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  had  been  the  publishing 
agent  and  one  of  the  editors — part  of  the  time  sole 
editor — of  the  American  Wesleyan,  and  treasurer 
of  most  or  all  of  the  Connectional  Boards.  In  these 
positions  he  displayed  remarkable  power,  espec- 
ially as  a  financier.  He  was  almost  the  soul  of 
these  important  departments  of  the  Connection, 
and  the  last  years  of  his  life  were,  to  a  considera- 
ble extent,  given  to  the  raising  of  a  fund  for  the 
building  of  a  publishing  house.  At  the  time  of  his 
death,  though  the  Wesleyans  are  not  strong,  nu- 
merically, twenty-two  thousand  dollars  had  been 
secured.  As  a  servant  of  God  and  a  leader  of  an 
heroic  division  of  the  army  of  Christ,  he  was  an 
extraordinary  man.  Well  may  the  Wesleyan  peo- 
ple especially,  and  true  Christians  generally,  re- 
gard with  sincere  grief  the  departure  of  this  noble 
leader  in  Christ's  Church  militant. 

During  the  years  when  the  foolish  attempt  to 
unite  the  non-episcopal  Churches  into  one  Church 
gave  so  great  an  impetus  to  disintegration  in  the 
Wesleyan  Church,  Mr.  Crooks  stood  as  the  chief 
standard-bearer  of  his  Church,  and  exercised  an 
influence  which  was  blessed  of  God  as  the  chief 
means  of  saving  that  denomination  from  dissolu- 
tion, and  in  turning  again  in  its  favor  the  tide  of 
prosperity.  His  labors,  the  past  ten  years,  will 
give  luster  to  some  of  the  most  important  pages  in 
the  history  of  a  Church  which  has  been  more  use- 
ful in  its  influence  on  other  Churches,  perhaps,  than 


280  THE  LIFE  OF 

in  its  own  direct  work,  which  has  been  evangelical 
and  heroic.  He  had  typhoid  fever  while  visiting 
the  Western  Conferences  last  Fall,  and,  probably 
owing  to  an  energy  which  denied  him  that  abso- 
lute rest  from  cares  and  labors  which  his  condi- 
tion demanded,  he  at  last  yielded  before  continued 
disease,  and  fell  asleep  in  Christ,  at  his  home  in 
Syracuse,  New  York.  To  his  worth  as  a  man,  as 
a  Christian  minister  and  editor,  the  tears  of  his 
co-laborers  and  of  his  people,  the  tribute  of  the 
ministers  and  members  of  other  Churches  of  Syra- 
cuse, especially  the  editorial  fraternity  there,  bear 
strong  testimony.  The  great  leader  fell  when  all 
eyes  were  turned  to  him  as  a  trusted  one,  but  fell 
when  his  people  had  reached  a  point  where  others 
could,  better  than  ever  before,  move  forward,  lead- 
ing the  Church  which  he  loved  so  well  and  for 
which  he  had  toiled  so  hard,  in  the  pathway  of 
safety,  and  to  still  greater  victory  and  prosperity. 

As  a  preacher,  editor,  and  financier,  Mr.  Crooks 
was  no  ordinary  man.  In  him  were  combined,  in 
a  remarkable  degree,  gentleness  and  energy,  dis- 
cretion and  courage,  tolerance  and  radicalism. 

Twice  have  we  heard  brother  Crooks  preach 
before  a  Conference,  and  we  have  enjoyed  his  com- 
pany in  our  home.  He  was  a  genial,  pious,  whole- 
souled  man.  And  his  person  and  bearing  contrib- 
uted not  a  little  to  his  influence  as  a  preacher  and 
leader.  In  the  language  of  Dr.  Lore,  he  was  "  the 
very  personification  of  mature  manhood ;  large  and 
powerful  in  physique,  active  and  energetic,  calm 


REV  ADAM  CROOKS.  281 

and  dignified  in  mien,  he  seemed  to  be  the  man  of 
the  multitude,  formed  to  bear  burdens,  made  to 
live."  He  was  the  very  embodiment  of  caution 
and  boldness,  courtesy  and  firmness.  As  a 
preacher,  he  was  clear  and  able,  spiritual  and  in 
spiring,  ever  faithful  to  truth  and  to  the  right 
His  eloquence  possessed  strength  rather  than  pol 
ish,  grandeur  rather  than  the  flowers  of  rhetoric 
and  elocution.  There  was,  however,  in  his  ser 
mons,  a  surpassing  moral  and  spiritual  beauty 
combined  with  other  essential  elements,  which,  in 
the  estimation  of  either  the  learned  or  the  unlearn 
ed,  constitute  the  God-chosen  teacher  or  leader 
Both  times  we  heard  him,  his  sermons  were  wor 
thy  of  the  body  of  intelligent  ministers  present 
and  still  "  the  common  people  heard  him  gladly. 
To  our  departed  friend  and  Christian  brother,  to 
our  fellow-worker  in  the  gospel  vineyard,  to  our 
co-laborer  in  the  great  cause  of  moral  reform,  to 
the  patient  sufferer  and  successful  toiler,  to  the 
great  leader  and  now  crowned  hero,  we  pay  this 
feeble  tribute,  and  answer  back,  Farewell !  But 
our  farewell  is  not  forever.  With  thousands  that 
have  revered  and  loved  him,  we  hope  to  greet  him 
among  the  glorified  when  the  voice  of  Him  whose 
throne  is  ever  on  the  side  of  truth,  purity,  and  ho- 
liness, and  against  deception,  sin,  and  iniquity, 
shall  call  his  servants  from  labor  to  reward,  from 
bearing  the  cross  to  wearing  the  crown. 

FROM    METHODIST   RECORDER. 

"  The  last  American   Weskyan  comes  draped  in 


282  THE  LIFE  OP 

mourning  at  the  loss  of  its  editor,  brother  Adam 
Crooks.  It  seems  that  his  over  work  at  the  Fall 
Conferences,  and  in  the  office  and  pulpit  since,  has 
prematurely  removed  this  busy  man  from  the  ranks 
of  Christian  laborers.  He  was  a  devoted  servant 
of  the  Church  of  his  choice.  He  was  not  only  the 
editor  of  the  weekly  paper,  but  the  treasurer  of 
several  Boards,  and  the  adviser  and  friend  whom 
pastors  sought  from  all  parts  of  the  Connection. 
He  was  a  strong  man,  physically,  intellectually  and 
spiritually;  a  true  reformer,  upright,  honest? 
straightforward,  and  full  of  faith  and  hope.  The 
Wesleyan  Church  will  miss  her  valiant  leader. 
He  was  true  to  his  paper,  true  to  his  people,  and 
true  to  Cod.  We  join  in  sincere  lamentation  with 
our  sister  household  of  faith,  and.  mingle  our  tears 
with  hers  at  the  grave  of  a  good  and  an  eminently 
useful  man.  He  loved  liberty  more  than  position, 
truth  more  than  fame,  his  little,  earnest,  united, 
and  zealous  Church  more  than  the  popular  sects 
with  all  their  emoluments  and  honors.  Peace  to 
the  ashes  of  our  dear,  dead  brother.  We  hope  to 
overtake  him  in  the  land  of  rest." 

FROM   NORTHERN    CHRISTIAN"    ADVOCATE    PUBLISHED 
AT   SYRACUSE. 

"  The  death  of  this  Christian  brother  shocked 
our  citizens  by  its  suddenness  on  Tuesday,  the  15th 
inst.  We  had  been  accustomed  to  see  him  in  our 
streets,  the  very  personification  of  mature  manhood, 
large  and  powerful  in  physique,  active  and  ener- 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  283 

getic,  calm  and  dignified  in  mien,  he  seemed  to  be 
the  man  of  the  multitude  formed  to  bear  burdens, 
made  to  live,  but  he  has  fallen  in  the  day  of  his 
strength,  amidst  a  multiplicity  of  cares,  and  ap- 
parently when  most  useful  and  most  needed. 
Brother  Crooks  stood  as  the  head  and  representa- 
tive of  the  American  Wesleyan  Church.  He  was 
Editor  and  Agent  of  the  publication  department, 
and  Treasurer  of  the  various  Connectional  funds, 
and  benevolent  institutions.  In  these  respects,  the 
Church,  humanly  speaking,  depended  entirely  upon 
his  ability  and  energy.  He  took  this  position 
when  Dr.  Prindle  resigned  and  many  others,  lead- 
ing men  of  the  Wesleyan  Church,  judging  it  better 
to  abandon  their  organization  and  return  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Many  of  their  prom- 
inent men  did  so.  A  crisis  had  come  in  their 
Church  affairs,  and  dissolution  seemed  imminent. 
At  this  juncture  brother  Crooks  threw  himself  into 
the  breach,  and  as  one  of  the  speakers  at  the  fune- 
ral said,  became  their  Moses,  and  cried  "  Go  for- 
ward." It  is  not,  perhaps,  too  much  to  say,  that 
if  there  had  been  no  Adam  Crooks  at  that  crisis, 
there  would  have  been  no  American  Wesleyan 
Church  now;  certainly  it  would  not  have  been 
what  it  now  is.  His  loss  to  the  Church  as  far  as 
human  foresight  can  see  is  irreparable. 

"Brother  Crooks  was  a  devoted  Christian  min- 
ister, moulded  after  the  strictest  New  Testament 
pattern.  He  was  a  man  who  never  chaffered  with 
duty,  he  knew  only  to  do  right  and  was  ready  to 


284  THE   LIFE  OP 

meet  the  consequences.  He  was  religious  in  his 
emotions  as  well  as  in  his  principles.  His  Chris- 
tian experience  was  mature,  rich,  and  mellow  and 
bright.  We  were  brought  into  communication 
with  him  frequently  as  a  brother-editor,  and  always 
found  him  genial  and  manly.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  but  fifty  years  of  age  and  had  been 
in  the  ministry  about  thirty  years.  Although  he 
had  been  sick  for  some  weeks,  up  and  down  with 
fever,  contracted  during  a  western  tour  of  Confer- 
ence visiting  as  agent  of  the  Church,  neither  he  nor 
his  friends  supposed  his  end  was  so  near.  Death 
came  unexpectedly  to  all.  Only  a  few  moments 
before  he  died,  he  seemed  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the 
open  door  through  which  he  was  to  pass  out  from 
this  to  the  other  world.  He  said  in  haste  to  his 
wife,  "  Quick,  quick,"  and  drew  her  to  him  and 
kissed  her,  and  murmured  indistinctly  that  there 
was  rest — and  soon  after  ceased  to  breathe.  "  He 
rests  from  his  labors  and  his  works  do  follow  him." 

FROM  THE    CHRISTIAN   CYNOSURE. 

Our  beloved  brother  Crooks  is  gone  over   the 

silent  river  before  us.     We  shall  not  attempt  his 

biography. 

<&  *  &  *  * 

Mr.  Crooks  took  the  helm.  As  was  said  of  Gen. 
Hamilton,  "He  touched  the  dead  carcass  of  the 
public  credit  and  it  stood  up."  He  restored  the 
dilapidated  business  of  the  Book  Room  at  Syra- 
cuse. The  paper  American  Wesleyan  became  self- 
sustaining.  Without  a  particle  of  sectarian  feel- 
ing, he  aided  in  saving  his  denomination.     H 


REV.   ADAM  CROOKS.  285 

a  true  New  Testament  bishop  without  either  the 
human  prerogative  or  the  name.  He  was  almost 
ready  to  commence  the  erection  of  a  new  National 
Publishing  House  at  Syracuse ;  and  there  stood 
around  him  godly  and  good  men  who  are  opposed 
to  the  world's  evils,  and  who,  it  is  hoped  and  be- 
lieved will  carry  to  completion  his  designs. 

"  Thou  hast  fallen  in  thy  armor 

Thou  beloved  of  the  Lord  ; 
With  thy  last  breath  crying  '  Onward/ 

And  thy  hand  upon  the  sword ; 
And  we'll  think  of  thee,  0  brother, 

In  the  trials  yet  to  come, 
In  the  shadow  of  the  prison 

Or  in  cruel  martyrdom.77 

EXPRESSION    OF  THE    CONNECTIONAL   BOARDS    ON   THE 
DEATH    OF   REV.    A.    CROOKS. 

In  the  course  of  temporal  events,  the  afflictive 
portion  of  which  we  could  not  control,  we  the  vari- 
ous Oonnectional  Boards  and  Associations  of  the 
Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection  of  America  are  as- 
sembled. Under  a  deep  sense  of  our  obligation 
t©,  and  dependence  upon  the  infinite  wisdom  of 
Almighty  God  we  would  bow  ourselves  before  the 
dealings  of  his  hand,  and  ask  his  divine  strength  to 
be  our  portion  through  the  severe  trial  which  is 
now  upon  us.  By  the  painfully  sad  circumstance 
of  death,  we  miss  to-day  the  presence,  counsel  and 
encouragement  of  our  dearly  beloved  Agent  and 
Treasurer,  Rev.  A.  Crooks,  and  we  cannot  refrain 


286  THE   LIFE  OP 

from  expressing,  by  these  few  words,  some   slight 
sense  of  our  great  bereavement. 

Taking  charge  of  the  Connectional  finances  as 
he  did  at  a  time  when  there  was  scarce  a  dollar  in 
the  treasury,  and  the  means  for  further  conducting 
the  publishing  interests  were  alone  in  the  hands  of 
a  people  who  had  everything  to  dishearten  and  dis- 
courage them,  there  seemed  little  to  hope  for,  save 
the  deliverance  of  that  God,  who  is  able  to  subdue 
his  enemies,  and  bring  strength  out  of  weakness. 
As  the  years  passed  on,  the-  people  learned  that  it 
was  safe  to  trust  their  new  Agent.  None  feared 
any  alienation  of  their  funds,  or  that  their  confi- 
dence would  in  any  way  be  misplaced. 

Since  that  time,  many  times  ten  thousand  dollars 
have  been  paid  to  him  for  the  various  Connectional 
enterprises  of  our  people,  and  twenty-two  thou- 
sand dollars  pledged  toward  a  new  Publishing 
House.  With  the  faithful,  trustful  spirit  which 
was  characteristic  of  himself,  the  people  have  ral- 
lied to  the  support  of  the  great  principles  of  our 
denomination,  and  beneath  his  financial  and 
Christian  leadership,  unexpected  successes  have 
been  attained. 

His  large  experience  and  close  observation,  his 
cool  judgment  and  undaunted  faith,  made  him  a 
valuable  adviser,  a  true  friend,  and  a  safe  and  pru- 
dent manager  of  the  Connectional  finances  entrust- 
ed to  his  care. .  Thousands  of  persons  had  submit- 
ted their  individual  cases  to  liis  careful  advice,  and 
not  less  than    thirty  thousand  people,  within   and 


KEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  287 

Outside  of  liis  denomination  had  known,  loved  and 
trusted  him. 

But  he  is  gone.  His  voice  is  hushed  at  the  head 
of  the  hosts  of  God's  moral  army.  His  toils  are 
passed,  his  work  is  done,  and  lie  has  passed  within 
the  sweet  and  hallowed  quiet  of  his  eternal  rest. 
He  has  left  the  companionship  of  his  old  friends 
and  associates,  and  left  them  to  work  on,  without 
the  advantage  of  his  experience,  observation  and 
advice. 

But  we  can  not  believe  that  any  who  arc  ground- 
ed Jn.  the  faith  of  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  who  cling  to  the  distinctive  principles 
of  American  Wesleyanism,  but  have  such  faith  and 
principles,  not  simply  because  our  brother  had  faith 
in  them,  but  because  they  believe  those  principles 
to  be  founded  on  justice  and  the  eternal  rock  of 
truth.  And  now  that  he  has  fallen  in  the  harness 
of  the  battle,  at  the  head  of  the  fearless  band  he 
led,  no  true  soldier  of  the  Master  will,  we  believe, 
feel  like  falling  back,  or  "  'bating  one  jot  of  heart 
or  hope."  The  Grand  Captain  of  our  salvation 
still  lives,  and  we  believe  will  lead  us  on  to  victory. 
Perhaps  we  were  trusting  too  much  in  our  dear 
brother,  and  now  the  God  of  the  armies  of  Heaven 
and  earth  wishes  to  show  us  that  He  who  can 
thresh  a  mountain  with  a  worm,  can  lead  us  to 
success  without   any  distinguished  human   agency. 

When  we  have  suffered  the  loss  of  leaders  in 
other  times,  our  brethren  remaining  have  rallied  to 
duty  as  never  before ;  and  now,  perhaps,  it  remains 


288  THE  LIFE  OF 

that  all  our  "  Churches  shall  be  set  on  fire  of  God" 
in  seeking  to  work  up  to  the  high  point  of  the  per- 
sonal Christian  experience  which  was  lived  and 
taught  by  our  devoted  brother. 

We  can  but  pause  in  sorrow  to  drop  our  tears 
of  grief  above  the  dust  of  our  departed  leader. 
But  for  the  sake  of  the  perishing  souls  for  whom 
he  labored,  and  Christ  died,  we  will  arise,  and  with 
hearts  undismayed,  press  forward  to  duty  to  the 
end  of  our  days.  And  we  would  exhort  brethren 
everywhere  to  rally  to  the  high  responsibilities 
resting  upon  them.  Let  there  be  no  sluggards 
now.  And  if  every  one  will  *  look  beyond  the 
watchman"  to  the  God  of  the  armies  of  Israel,  we 
may  see  such  a  forward  movement  as  never  occur- 
red even  in  his  own  day.  And  it  may  come  to 
pass  that  he  who  slew  his  thousands  in  his  life- 
time, may  slay  his  tens  of  thousands  by  the  influ- 
ence of  his  own  death.  God  is  our  leader,  in  him 
will  we  trust,  Published  by  Order  of  the 
Boards. 

The  following  tracts  are  among  the  last  of  Mr, 
Crooks'  writings.  It  is  thought  advisable  to  give 
them  this  form,  in  order  that  their  circulation  may 
be  extended,  and  their  influence  widened;  and  that 
they  may  be  preserved  to  bless  those  who  read,  for 
years  to  come. 

COUNSEL  TO  CONVERTS. 

The  most  memorable  epoch  in 'the  soul's  history  is  the 
time  of  its  espousals  to  Christ.  From  that  moment  there 
is  a  vitalizing  and  falicitating  union  between  it  and  the 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  289 

Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  to  find  its  high  and  holy 
complement  amid  the  measureless  ages  of  immortality. 
But  in  spiritual  laws  and  habits  it  is  but  an  infant  almost 
without  experience  and  without  knowledge.  To  begin 
right  and  to  grow  and  develop  in  the  spiritual — in  eternal 
life,  is  of  unspeakable  importance.  Hence  please  read,  with 
fervent  prayer,  these  earnest  words  of  counsel. 

1.  Be  certain  beyond  the  possibility  of  mistake  as  to  the 
fact  of  conversion.  Do  not  rest  in  the  judgments  of  oth- 
ers. Know  for  yourself.  Do  not  settle  down  satisfied 
while  there  is  a  lingering  shadow  of  doubt.  The  matter 
is  too  important  to  allow  of  doubts.  Be  sure  your  experi- 
ence is  scriptural.  Here  are  some  scriptural  evidences. — 
Peace  with  God.  The  Apostle  says,  "  Therefore  being  jus- 
tified by  faith,  wa  have  peace  with  God."  This  peace 
consists  in  a  sweet  tranquility  of  soul  arising  from  pardon 
and  conscious  reconciliation.  God  has  pardoned  us,  and 
we  are  reconciled  to  him — are  at-one  with  him — all  an- 
tagonism has  ceased.  Love  of  Christians,  is  another  evi- 
dence. "  By  this  we  know  we  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life,  because  we  love  the  brethren."  This  is  much  more 
than  a  mere  respect  for  Christians.  Most  persons  have 
this.  But  it  is  a  knitting  of  soul  with  soul — an  instinctive 
drawing  to  Christians,  as  a  part  of  ourselves,  or  as  belong- 
ing to  the  same -family — a  secret,  but  strong  spiritual  affini- 
ty. New  interest  in,  and  better  understanding  of  the 
Bible,  resulting  from  having  the  eyes  of  the  understanding 
opened,  is  another  evidence. — Love  of  enemies — conscious 
communion  with  God — minding  spiritual  things — having 
keen  spiritual  appetite  and  relish — are  all  evidences  of  con- 
version. But  though  scriptural  and  valid,  yet  these  are 
all  inferential.  We  have  peace  with  God ;  love  the  breth- 
ren; love  our  enemies,  &c.  &c,  therefore  we  are  convert- 
ed. But  there  is  a  higher  evidence, — There  is  the  direct 
witness  of  the  Spirit.  We  may  argue  that  because  we 
see,  and  hear,  and  love  and  hate,  and  enjoy,  and  suffer 
&c,  that  therefore  we  exist;  that  it  is  conclusive.  But 
13 


290  THE  LIFE  OF 

aside  from  all  this,  there  is  a  consciousness  of  existence, 
So  too,  aside  from  all  inferential  evidence,  there  may  be  a 
direct  consciousness  of  spiritual  life.  This  is  the  witness  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  Let  no  convert  stop  short  of  this  highest 
evidence.  It  is  of  infinite  importance  to  begin  right — that 
the  conversion  is  both  genuine  and  thorough. 

2.  Bear  every  cross.  This  is  a  fundamental  condition  of 
discipleship.  At  the  yery  outset  of  your  Christian  career 
settle  it  well  to  shun  no  cross,  however  heavy.  Every 
time  the  cross  is  borne  there  will  be  an  increase  of  strength' 
with  conscious  Divine  approval.  Every  time  you  bear  the 
cross  you  will  learn  more  and  more,  that  at  least  one  half 
of  it  is  borne  by  the  Savior..  When  lifted,  it  is  not  so  pon- 
derous as  it  had  seemed  ;  and  every  successive  time  it  is 
lighter  than  the  preceding.  On  the  other  hand,  when 
shunned,  the  cross  grows  heavier  and  heavier,  until  there  is 
neither  strength  nor  fortitude  to  take  it  up.  As  one  has 
beautifully  said,  "  The  cross  is  like  the  wings  of  a  bird- 
The  bird  must  bear  its  wings,  and  then  the  wings  bear  the 
bird."  You  will  find  this  to  be  eminently  true.  Then,  from 
the  first,  be  cross-bearing  Christians.  There  are  none 
others. 

"  Bold  to  take  up,  and  firm  to  sustain 
The  consecrated  cross." 

3.  Be  zealous  workers.  The  Churches  have  too  many 
drones  already.  You  are  wanted  for  no  such  purpose. 
Just  in  proportion  as  you  are  a  blessing  to  the  Church  will 
the  Church  be  a  blessing  to  you.  The  Church  and  world 
are  filled  with  backsliders,  because  filled  with  idlers.  By 
all  means  find  something  to  do  for  Jesus.  Seek  to  be  use- 
ful. Be  earnest  workers.  Your  alternative  is  work  or  die! 
By  all  means  let  these  words  characterize  you  truly — 
"  Zealous  of  good  work."  The  command  of  the  Master  to 
each  and  to  all  is,  "  Go  work  to-day  in  my  vineyard."  Be 
strict  in  your  obedience  to  this  Divine  command ;  and 
"ready  to  every  good  word  and  work."  Do  something 
for  Jesus  eacn  day,  and  not  only  will  you  not  backslide, 


KJBV.  AD  Am  CROOKS.  291 

but  you  will  be  a  healthy,  happy,  useful,  growing  Christian. 

We  repeat  it — The  one  alternative  is — Work  or  die. 
Action  is  a  law  of  spiritual,  no  less  than  of  natural  life  and 
development.  It  is  palpable  that  in  the  absence  of  life 
there  can  be  no  intelligent,  well-directed,  effective  and 
remunerative  action.  And  it  is  equally  true  that  in  the  ab- 
sence of  such  action  there  can  be  no  healthful,  growing, 
happy,  vigorous,  spiritual  life.  In  such  case,  there  may 
be  the  form  without  the  power— the  body  without  the  soul; 
the  shadow  without  the  substance,  the  corpse  without  the 
shroud  and  coffin  ;  but  little  more  is  possible.  You  do  not 
wish  to  belong  to  an  army  of  corpses,  an  assemblage  of 
skeletons,  a  "  valley  of  dry  bones;"  or  even  disciplined 
infants,  invalids,  dyspeptics  and  dwarfs.  What  miserable 
substitutes  these,  for  spiritual  athletes  and  giants !  Not 
enough  that  a  mere  tithe  of  the  professed  soldiers  of  Christ, 
are  pressing  the  battle  with  the  vigor  of  desperation < 
'Twere  madness  to  even  hope  for  brilliant  achievement 
until  the  whole  army  comes  into  such  determined  action. — 
"The  kingdom  of  heaven  suffereth  violence,  and  the  vio- 
lent take  it  by  force."  Among  the  Lacedemonians,  every 
citizen  was  a  soldier.  So  let  it  be  with  you.  Let  every 
inais,  woman  and  child  professing  to  love  the  Lord  Jesus, 
"  come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord,  to  the  help  of  the  Lord 
against  the  mighty." 

4.  Be  scrupulously  conscientious.  "  Shun  all  appear- 
ance of  evil."  Never  give  the  devil  the  benefit  of  your 
doubt.  Never  allow  large  margin  between  sin  and  holi- 
ness. Draw  the  lines  sharply  and  distinctly.  Never  be 
found  ia  proximity  with  Satan's  territory.  Make  the  dis- 
tance between  you  and  it  as  great  as  possible.  For  every 
temptation  have  a  prompt  and  emphatic  No  !  Thoughts  of 
evil,  when  indulged,  instantly  become  evil  thoughts.  These 
are  the  only  doors  through  which  the  devil  can  gain  en- 
trance into  the  heart,  As  you  regard  the  life  and  liberty 
of  your  souls,  keep  these  doors  well  bolted,  and  you  are 
comparatively  safe.     But  without  this  there  absolutely  can 


292  THE  LIFE  OF 

be  no  safety.  (f  Lust,  when  it  hath  conceived,  bringeth 
forth  sin  ;71  and  "  the  wages  of  sin  is  death."  Avoid  every 
wrong.  Practice  every  right.  Do  every  duty..  Be  strict- 
ly, scrupulously,  uniformly  conscientious.  Keep  your  con- 
science as  the  apple  of  the  eye  of  your  soul.  Prefer  death 
to  sin. 

"  What  conscience  dictates  to  be  done 

Or  warns  me  not  to  do  ; 
This  teaches  more  than  hell  to  shun, 

That  more  than  heaven  to  pursue." 

5.  Too  much  account  cannot  be  made  of  prayer.  "  Pray 
without  ceasing."  "  Instant  in  prayer," — ready  for  it  at  all 
times.  "Praying  ail  prayer  and  supplication  in  the  Spir- 
it."— For  everything  we  need.  "  Pray  everywhere"- — in 
secret — in  family — in  social  and  business  walks — in  the 
great  congregation.  "  Lifting  up  holy  hands  without  wrath 
and  doubting." — ISTo  sin  in  the  hand — no  wrath  in  the  mind — 
no  doubting  in  the  heart.  Emphatically,  the  Christian  life 
is  one  of  prayer. 

"Prayer  is  the  Christian's  vital  breath  ; 

The  Christian's  native  air, — 
His  watch-word  at  the  grates  of  death,— 

He  enters  heaven  with  prayer." 

"  But  pray  with  faith  in  Jesus'  name." 

Just  as  well  hope  to  live  physically  without  breathing,  as 
to  live  spiritually  without  praying.  Prayer  exhales  sin, 
and  inhales  holiness — exhales  the  human,  and  inhales  the 
divine — exhales  self  and  inhales  God !  To  cease  to  pray  is 
to  cease  to  live. 

6.  Study  the  Bible  much,  and  make  it  your  guide.  Read 
good  books ;  counsel  with  Christians ;  give  good  heed  to 
preaching  ;  but  allow  none  of  these,  nor  all  of  them  togeth- 
er, the  place  of  the  Bible.  Make  the  Bible  alone,  the 
ultimate  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  Young  converts  often 
select  out  eminent  Christians  as  their  patterns,  thinking  if 
only  as  good  as  these,  that  is  all  they  could  hope.  But 
even  a  Paul  could  only  say,  "  follow  me  as  T  follow  Christ." 
Christ  is  the  only  perfect  model,  and  the  Bible  the  only  sure 


293 

guide.  A  neglected  Bible — neglected  closet,  and  a  neglected 
Christ,  is  salvation  neglected. 

7.  Seek  to  be  useful.  There  are  a  thdusand  ways  in 
which  to  do  good.  Reckon  that  day  as  lost  which  records 
no  good  accomplished — no  word  of  caution,  reproof,  or 
comfort  spoken— no  deed  of  charity  done— no  look  of  pity- 
ing kindness  given.  So  taught  even  Pythagorus,  a  heathen 
philosopher.  Let  the  sun  go  down  upon  no  such  day  of 
your  life.  Do  not  be  mere  absorbents — mere  receptives  of 
good  ;  but  give  out  good  in  return.  "  Freely  ye  have  re- 
ceived ;  freely  give."  Let  heart,  and  hand,  and  feet,  and 
tongue,  and  eyes  be  avenues  for  the  out-flow  of  good  to 
others.  Seek  to  be  eminently  wise  and  good,  that  you  may 
be  thus  eminently  useful.  And  be  ready  for  any  errand  of 
mercy,  any  post  of  service  that  Heaven  may  appoint.  Shine 
like  the  sun  ;  not  for  yourself,  but  for  others.  But  shine  ! 
Make  mountain  and  valley  lustrous  with  the  light  of  intelli- 
gent Christian  example.  If  others  are  indifferent,  or  walk 
in  darkness,  let  not  the  fault  lie  at  your  door. 

8.  Be  punctual  in  the  observance  of  all  the  means  of 
grace,  private  and  public.  These  are  your  spiritual  meals, 
and  regularity  is  essential  to  spiritual  health  and  growth. 
Never  suffer  business  nor  any  earthly  interest  to  encroach 
upon  these. 

9.  Be  select  of  your  companions.  Not  that  they  must 
be  of  the  rich  and  cultured ;  but  they  that  belong  to  the 
royal  family  of  Heaven.— And  not  merely  nominal,  world- 
ly, unspiritual,  and  lukewarm  formalists ;  but  those  who 
live  nearest  the  summit  of  the  mount  of  heavenly  commun- 
ion. And  read  none  but  the  best  of  books.  Select  your 
companions  from  among  the  spiritual  giants  and  Princes  of 
the  House  of  Israel. 

10.  Do  not  be  too  much  the  subject  of  mere  emotions. 
Not  evanescent  emotions,  but  fixed  principles  ;  not  delight- 
but  duty;  not  greatness,  but  goodness;  not  happiness,  but 
holiness  ;  not  rapture,  but  running ;  not  words,  but  wis- 
dom ;  not  lust,  but  love ;  not  glory,  but  God?    Too  many 


294  THE  LIFE  OP 

mistake  here.  Be  sure  you  do  not.  It  leads  either  to  sen- 
suosity  in  religion,  or  otherwise  to  measuring  our  grace  by 
the  false  rule  of  mere  feeling.     Shun  this  rock. 

11.  Studiously  avoid  spiritual  pride.  "  Esteeming  others 
better  than  yourselves."  As  above,  goodness,  not  great- 
ness. Rejoice  in  the  successes  of  others.  Let  there  be  no 
bitter  jealousies,  envying,  strife,  or  evil  speaking.  The 
largest  corn  and  fattest  pastures  are  found  in  the  valleys. 
So  do  Christian  graces  grow  best  in  the  valley  of  true  hu- 
mility. 

12.  From  the  first,  learn  to  be  liberal.  "  The  liberal 
soul  shall  be  made  fat.'7  "  The  Lord  loveth  a  cheerful 
giver."  As  Wesley  taught— Get  all  you  can — honestly  of 
course  ;  save  all  you  can  ;  give  all  you  can.  Get  and  save 
not  to  hoard ;  but  that  you  may  have  wherewith  to  give, 
Just  as  well  talk  of  a  sober  sot,  as  of  a  stingy  Christian. 

13.  Never  rest  satisfied  in  present  attainments.  But, 
taking  the  Apostle's  rule,  forgetting  things  behind,  and 
reaching  to  those  before,  press  toward  the  mark,  for  the 
prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  High- 
er ! — and  still  higher ! ! 

Do  these  things,  and  thou  shalt  not  only  save  thyself, 
but  also  many  others, 

PLEA  FOR  HOLINESS. 

Holiness  is  personal  purity.  It  combines  the  two  con- 
ditions of  the  absence  of  all  that  is  wrong,  and  the  pre- 
sence of  all  that  is  right — complete  death  to  sin  and  life 
to  righteousness.  It  is  pre-eminent  personal.  Separate 
*rom  the  individual,  there  can  be  no  holiness.  It  does  not 
consist  in  externalities,  nor  yet  in  mere  emotions,  but  in  a 
fixed  state  of  the  heart.  Upon  both  of  these  points  there  has 
been  vast  confusion.  Implanted  in  the  heart,  it  finds  cer- 
tain development  in  the  life.  Its  highest  statement  is  lov- 
ing God  with  all  the  heart,  soul,  mind  and  strength,  and 
loving  our  neighbor,  (friend  or  foe,)  as  ourself.  Not  that 
we  are  to  approve  either  the  character  or  conduct  of  our 


REV.  ADAM   CROOKS.  295 

foes. — God  does  not  approbate  his  enemies. — But  we  must 
have  for  them  no  malignity — nothing  contrary  to  good-will. 
But  perforce  of  an  eternal  law  of  our  being,  to  thus  love 
God  we  must  be  like  him.  We  must  be  "  created  anew 
after  the  image  of  God  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness."" 
For  "  like  loves  its  like"  But  the  object  of  these  lines  is  a 
plea  for  holiness. 

1.  God  commands  it.  His  language  is  plain,  pointed, 
and  positive.  "  Be  ye  holy;  for  I  the  Lord  your  God  am 
holy."  This  of  itself  is  sufficient.  When  God  commands, 
let  angels  and  men  obey.  Holiness  is  the  supreme  law  of 
the  Moral  Universe.  If  we  would  not  be  in  vital  antago- 
nism with  this  great  law,  let  us  be  holy. 

2.  Sin  is  essentially  hateful  and  wrong;  is  hateful  because 
wrong.  For  this  reason  God  hates  it  with  a  perfect  hatreds 
If  he  did  not  hate  it  with  all  the  powers  of  his  being  he 
would  be  a  sinner.     Then,  as  we  would  not  give  place  in 

our  heart  to  that  which  is  thus  hateful  in  the  eyes  of  God 
and  of  all  sinless  beings,  let  us  be  holy. 

3.  Sin  is  essentially  subversive  of  the  Divine  Govern- 
ment. But  this  government  is  an  infinite  good,  and  its 
overthrow  would  be  an  infinite  calamity.  Who  can  fully 
estimate  the  magnitude  of  the  consequences  of  the  destruc- 
tion of  God's  government.  Surely  none  but  God  himself. 
Then  if  we  would  not  allow  that  which  would  be  thus  disas- 
terous  to  God  and  his  boundless  universe  to  attach  to  our 
deathless  nature,  let  us  be  holy.  Let  us  antagonize  sin  as 
we  ought. 

4.  But  again : — Sin  shuts  us  away  from  communion  with 
God.  Out  of  fellowship  with  God  and  all  the  good. — Aye 
more  ;~in  desperate  warfare  with  all  these : — who  can 
abide  the  thought !  Yet  sin  imposes  and  eternalizes  this 
dreadful  necessity.  Yet  holiness  is  the  only  door  of  escape 
from  this  direful  calamity.  To  the  account  of  sin  is  to  be 
put  down  unmeasured  evil,  and  to  the  account  of  holiness 
unmeasured  good.  Then  by  all  this  double  possibility  of 
good  and  evil,  are  we  called  to  an  existence  of  ceaseless 


29&  THE  LIFE  OF 

holiness.       Shall  we  hold  ourselves  proof  against  such  mo- 
tives as  these  ?     If  not,  let  us  be  holy. 

5.  If  we  would  bear  a  resemblance  of  God  and  all  the 
good  of  the  universe,  we  must  be  holy. 

6.  If  our  relationship  to  God  and  the  virtuous  of  all 
worlds  would  be  friendly,  we  must  be  holy. 

7.  If  we  would  not  be  in  identification  with  all  the  abom- 
inable of  all  worlds,  we  must  be  holy. 

8.  Without  holiness,  all  our  prayers  and  acts  of  worship 
must  be  without  avail.  Holiness  is  a  condition  fundamen- 
tal to  acceptable  worship.  If  we  regard  iniquity  in  our 
heart — any  iniquity — the  Lord  will  not  hear  us. 

9.  Holiness  is  the  life-principle  of  every  form  of  virtue. 
Hence,  in  its  absence,  even  these  forms  will  eventually 
decompose  and  disappear. 

10.  By  a  powerful  law  of  our  being,  we  assimilate  to  those 
whom  we  venerate  and  love.  The  loving  child  becomes 
like  his  parent,  and  the  admiring  pupil  like  his  preceptor. 
Love  and  admiration  of  the  Drvine  Being  are  essential  ele- 
ments of  holiness.  Hence,  by  virtue  of  this  law,  holy  moral 
agents  become  more  and  more  holy :  or  more  and  more 
like  God.  Hence,  too,  the  language  of  the  great  Apostle 
"But  we  ?I1  with  open  face  beholding  as  in  a  glass  the 
glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image  from 
glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord."  Hence, 
also,  the  "Beloved  Disciple1' — "We  know  that  when  he 
shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  him  ;  for  we  shall  see  him  as 
he  is."  How  distinct  and  marked  this  resemblance  shall 
become  by  virtue  of  the  operations  of  this  law  during  an 
endless  eternity,  may  not  be  thought  nor  told ;  but  if  holy, 
it  shall  stamp  our  eternal  experience.  And  is  it  unreason- 
able to  suppose  that  perforce  of  a  law  of  like  potency,  the 
unholy  and  unhappy  lost  will  wax  worse  and  worse  during- 
eternal  ages?  All  these  tremendous  results  concenter  up- 
on the  single  condition  of  being  holy.  Then,  how  shall 
it  be  ?  Shall  we  spend  our  eternity  in  rising  higher  and 
higher  in  every  moral  excellence  ;    approximating  nearer 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  297 

and  nearer  the  exact  image  of  the  Divine ;  or  shall  it  be 
spent  in  sinking  deeper  and  still  deeper  into  unmeasured 
depths  of  moral  deformity  and  obliquy  ?  Reader :  This 
tremendous  question  confronts  your  soul  at  each  succes- 
sive moment  for  decision.  Oh,  let  it  be  made  now  in  such 
manner  as  all  the  facts  of  time  and  eternity  shall  approve ! 

11.  As  sin  is  the  greatest  possible  evil  to  moral  agents, 
so  is  holiness  the  greatest  possible  good.  Holiness  alone 
can  adjust  our  being  in  self-harmony,  as  in  harmony  with 
God,  his  law,  and  plans,  and  purposes,  and  the  administra- 
tion of  the  affairs  of  his  boundless  empire.  Holiness  ren- 
ders all  the  infinite  resources  of  Jehovah,  and  all  the  mighty 
forces  at  his  command,  tributary  to  the  highest  good  of  its 
possessor.  Sin  sets  all  these  infinite  resources  and  mighty 
forces  at  war  upon  the  interests  of  its  guilty  perpetrator. 
Every  where,  all  over  the  Divine  nature  and  administration, 
may  be  seen  written  in  emblazoned  characters — "  With- 
out Holiness  none  shall  see  the  Lord." 

And  now,  dear  reader :  What  is  your  attitude  to  these 
over-mastering  truths  ?  Are  the  infinite  resources  of  Je- 
hovah, with  all  the  mighty  forces  of  the  universe  at  work 
for  your  highest  good ;  or  are  their  concerted  activities 
effectuating  your  utmost  ruin  for  time  and  eternity?  The 
answer  depends  upon  your  relation  to  holiness.  What  is 
that  relation  ?  What  shall  it  be  ?  Can  the  fleeting  pleas- 
ures of  sin  compensate  the  soul's  eternal  undoing  ?  Surely 
not.  Then,  by  all  its  priceless  interests  determine  to  be 
holy  from  this  very  hour.  Let  the  decision  render  the 
memory  of  the  hour  precious  and  hallowed  amid  the  peer- 
less glories  of  the  palace  of  God ! 

12.  But  in  its  far-reaching  influences  this  subject  is  not 
limited  to  the  individual  moral  agent.  For,  as  it  is  written, 
"  No  man  liveth  unto  himself."  In  the  immediate  and 
sundry  relations  of  husband,  wife,  parent,  child,  brother, 
sister,  friend,  &c,  &c,  our  character  must  affect  for  weal 
or  for  woe,  the  character  and  destiny  of  many  others.  Nor 
is  this  tidal- wave  of  contagion, — holy  or  sinful— confined  to 

13* 


298  THE  LIFE  OP 

the  immediate  circle  of  relatives,  friends  and  cotempora* 
ries  ;  but  with  the  ceaseless  flow  of  time  sweeps  on  to  bless 
or  blast  countless  thousands  :-—  may  be  millions !  Thus 
has  the  guilty  taint  of  the  sinning  pair  in  Eden  infected 
their  countless  progeny.  So,  in  like  manner,  the  blessed 
influence  of  the  good  is  unconfined  and  undying.  Shall  we 
commit  sad  havoc  among  immortal  souls  until  God's  angel 
shall  strike  the  knell  of  time  ?  The  subject  is  unspeaka- 
bly awful  •  And  were  it  possible,  the  pleadings  and  pro* 
tests  of  unborn  millions  might  well  be  in  favor  of  the 
holiness  of  all  now  living.  But  in  this  they  are  wholly  de- 
enseless.  Then  let  us  make  their  cause  our  own,  and  for 
their  sahes  as  well  as  our  own ;  and  as  we  would  not,  in  the 
form  of  our  influence,  be  guilty  of  committing  soul-mur- 
der during  all  time,  let  us  be  holy. 

13.  Our  final  plea  is  made  in  the  name  of  our  adorable 
Savior.  His  mission  to  earth  finds  final  culmination  in 
man's  holiness  and  happiness.  Therefore,  by  his  incarna- 
tion, poverty,  passion,  illustrious  example,  betrayal  and 
denial,  cruel  mockings  and  scourgings,  boundless  sufferings 
and  agonizing  cry  upon  the  cross ;  by  his  death,  burial,  re- 
surrection, ascension  and  intercessions  ;  by  the  gift  of  the 
Spirit,  establishment  of  his  Church  and  institution  of  his  min- 
istry ;  by  all  of  these,  as  in  one  united  call,  are  we  impor- 
tuned to  be  holy.  If  we  are  holy,  we  come  into  the  rightful 
possession  of  all  the  blessed  benefits  of  the  atonement, 
both  for  time  and  eternity.  But  if  not  holy,  the  blood  of 
atonement  will  cry  for  vengeance,  as  the  guilt  of  all  other 
sins  combined  cannot  cry.  This  is  the  pivotal  point  upon 
which  all  turns.  If  holy,  the  atonement  becomes  to  us 
the  source  of  peerless  blessings  ;  but  if  not  holy,  the  blood 
of  the  Son  of  God  shed  for  our  redemption  thunders  for 
our  eternal  undoing.  Reader :  How  shall  it  be  ?  Shall 
God's  munificent  expenditures  for  our  salvation,  be  so  per- 
verted by  our  own  act,  as  to  deepen  our  eternal  damnation  ? 
Awful  thought!  Shall  we  thus  at  once  abuse  God's  bound- 
less love,  dash  beyond  the  limits  of  recovery,  the  bliss  of 


fcEV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  299 

heaven,  and  plunge  our  souls  beneath  the  fiercest  waves  of 
•endless  woe  ?     If  not,  we  must  be  holy. 

The  foregoing  considerations  appeal  alike  to  all ;  but 
super-added  to  these  are  others  which  apply  exclusively  to 
Christians.     Here  are  some  of  them. 

1.  If  you  would  have  power  with  God  and  man  for 
good,  you  must  be  holy. 

2.  If  you  would  not  mar  and  scar  the  beauty  and  symme- 
try of  the  Church  of  God,  and  blight  the  healthy  growth  in 
grace  in  those  with  whom  you  are  in  holiest  fellowship,  you 
must  be  holy. 

3.  If  you  would  not  hold  out  false  lights,  and  guide  an 
already  perishing  world  against  the  ruinous  rocks  of  sin ; 
if  for  the  saving  salt  of  holiness  you  would  not  give  the 
world  the  fatal  virus  of  sin,  you  must  be  holy. 

4.  If  you  would  not  be  a  false  witness  against  Christ, 
and  bring  his  matchless  cause  into  disrepute  with  mankind, 
you  must  be  holy.  To  be  intrusted  with  the  honor  and 
reputation  of  Jesus,  involves  a  fearful  responsibility.  If 
you  would  not  basely  betray  this  holy  trust  confided,  you 
must  be  holy. 

5.  The  Church  is  the  conservator  of  the  nations,  and  of 
the  world.  It  is  the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  the  light  of  the 
woild.  If  it  does  not  sufficiently  possess  the  conserving 
and  saving  properties,  the  nations  must  relapse  into  barbar- 
ism, moral  rottenness  and  ruin.  Here  again  are  involved 
fearful  responsibilities  ;  and  to  fully  respond  to  these,  you 
must  be  holy. 

Finally :  It  you  would  not  transmit  to  coming  genera- 
tions a  type  of  Christianity  that  will  blast,  blacken,  and 
ruin  souls,  instead  of  blessing  and  saving  them,  you  must 
be  holy. 

Thus,  if  you  would  be  true  to  your  own  interests,  and 
the  interests  of  God,  and  of  all  others  for  time  and  eter- 
nity, you  must  be  holy. 

What  do  you  say  ?  What  is  your  answer  ?  Decide  this 
great  question  now. — This  instant.— Upon  your  knees  be- 


300  THE  LIFE  OF 

fore  God !  Will  you  now  make  a  perfect  offering  of  time^ 
talent,  ease,  pleasure,  property,  reputation,  friends,  and  if 
need  so  require,  life  itself?  Will  you  keep  tbis.  offering 
upon  the  altar  forever ?  And  making  this  offering  a  per- 
petual act,  do  you  now  take  Jesus  Christ  as  a  Savior  from 
all  sin  ?     Will  you  be  holy  ? 

May  the  great  God,  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  help 
you !  Amen. 

PROCESSES   OF    SALVATION. 

Salvation,  in  a  gospel  sense,  means  complete  deliverance 
from  sin,  and  thereby  deliverance  from  its  consequences, 
and  the  eternal  exaltation  of  the  soul  and  body  to  all  pos- 
sible perfectability  and  blessedness  in  heaven.  The  theme 
of  salvation  is  the  greatest  of  all  themes.  And  the  work  of 
salvation  is  the  greatest  of  all  works.  And  although  the  en- 
tire work  is  expressed  by  the  one  word — salvation  ;  yet  it 
has  its  processes.  Concerning  some  of  these  processes, 
vast  confusion  exists  even  in  the  minds  of  many  Christians. 
Well-defined  views  upon  this  subject  are  of  very  great  im- 
portance. Hence  we  would  dissipate  this  confusion,  and 
make  each  point  as  plain  as  possible. 

The  first  step  we  name  is  conviction.  This  is  a  com- 
plex state,  implying  a  knowledge  of  God  and  his  law,  with 
a  pungent  sense  of  guilt  or  of  ill-desert  because  of  the  vio- 
lation of  this  law.  Now  conscience  is  thoroughly  awake 
and  at  work.  And  although  tbis  state  may  be  wholly  in- 
voluntary and  even  against  the  will,  and  therefore  posses- 
ses no  moral  character,  it  is  yet  indispensable  to  salvation  ; 
for  without  it  no  one  will  seek  salvation. 

The  second  preliminary  step  in  this  process  is  penitence. 
By  this  we  mean  sincere  sorrow  over  our  past  sins.  Now 
sin  begins  to  be  seen  and  regarded  in  its  true  light,  as  ex- 
ceedingly offensive  to  God,  and  detrimental  to  every  inter- 
est of  man,  both  for  time  and  eternity.  Now  we  begin  in 
earnest  to  deplore  our  sinful  state.  The  direct  tendency 
of  this  sorrow  is  to  .produce  repentance.     Hence  says  the 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS,  301 

Apostle,  "Godly  sorrow  worketh  repentance."  Not 
enough  that  we  are  deeply  convicted ;  not  enough  that  the 
soul  is  sorrowful  because  of  sins  committed.  All  this  may 
be,  and  yet  we  persistently  refuse  to  cease  our  sinning.  - 

Another  step  must  be  taken — viz  :  repentance.  Genuine 
repentance  consists  in  a  present  and  complete  abandon- 
ment of  all  known  sin,  together  with  a  determined  struggle 
for  deliverance  therefrom.  Mark ! — Not  a  purpose  to  aban- 
don sin  after-while — nor  yet  to  abandon  some  sins  and  con- 
tinue to  cling  to  others ;  neither  to  abandon  them  for  any 
limited  period.  But  this  abandonment,  in  purpose  at  least, 
must  be  present,  complete,  and  perpetual,  The  surrender 
must  be  unconditional.  The  purposed  obedience  must  be 
absolute;- and  unqualified,  at  any  and  every  cost,  be  it  life 
itself,  otherwise  our  repentance  is  a  sham  and  a  mockery. 
It  is  to  be  greatly  feared  that  in  these  times  of  shams  and 
superficialities,  the  repentance  of  too  many  is  only  in  the 
seemings.  Reader !  Has  yours  been  genuine  and  tliorough  ? 
If  you  would  have  your  conversion  genuine,  your  repentance 
must  be  thorough. 

Repentance  prepares  the  way  for  justification,  or  par- 
don. The  soul  may  now  be  said  to  be  in  moral  attitude  to 
be  forgiven.  Not  that  repentance  is  in  the  least  degree 
meritorious.  For  while  it  is  fitting  and  indispensable,  it 
yet  in  no  sense,  nor  to  any  extent,  merits  pardon.  The 
meritorious  cause  of  our  justification  inheres  exclusively 
in  the  complete  atonement  made  by  the  sufferings  and 
death  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  he  having  "  by  the  grace 
of  God,  tasted  death  for  every  man."    As  the  poet  sings : 

"  Jesus  paid  it  all — 
All  the  debt  I  owe." 

Hence,  "  God  can  be  just  and  the  justifier  of  him  that  be- 
lieveth  in  Jesus."  And  hence  again,  the  moment  we  cease 
our  agonizing  efforts  to  make  ourselves  bftter,  or  to  free 
ourselves  from  guilt,  and  trust  for  salvation  simply  and  con- 
fidingly in  "  the  redemption  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,"  that 
very  moment  all  our  sins  will  be  freely  forgiven,  and  we 


302  THE  LIFE  OP 

shall  stand  justified  before  God  as  really  and  as  fully  as  if 
we  had  never  sinned.  This  act  of  pardon  is  at  once  in- 
stantaneous and  complete.  And  now  becomes  apropos  the 
simple  and  beautifully  expressive  language  of  the  great 
Apostle,  u  Therefore  being  justified  by  faith,  we  have 
peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  And 
with  speechless  rapture  we  can  sing 

"  My  God  is  reconciled ; 

His  pard'ning  voice  I  hear ; 
He  owns  me  for  his  child, 

I  can  no  longer  fear." 

Coetaneous  with  pardon,  and  its  invariable  attendant,  is 
regeneration.  When  freely  pardoned  by  the  Father,  through 
the  Son,  we  are,  the  same  instant,  regenerated  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  adopted  into  the  heavenly  family,  and  receive  the 
Spirit  of  adoption,  "  crying  Father,  Father."  This  work 
is  instantaneous ;  done  in  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye.  As  regeneration  is  the  unvarying  concomitant  or 
accompaniment  of  justification  or  pardon,  theologians  fre- 
quently employ  the  terms,  justification  and  regeneration 
interchangably,  as  designating  the  same  state.  The  Scrip- 
tures characterize  it — being  born  again — created  anew  in 
Christ  Jesus — the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  the  heart 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  like  forceful  language.  In  all 
these  processes  the  Holy  Ghost  has  been  active. — In  pro- 
ducing conviction,  contrition,  repentance,  inspiring  the 
faith  which  trusts  only  in  Christ  for  pardon  ;  for  "  no  man 
can  say  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord,  but  by  the  Holy  Ghost" — 
active  also  in  creating  the  heart  anew,  and  then  in  witness- 
ing to  its  own  blessed  work. 

We  would  award  to  the  justified  or  regenerate  state  all 
that  the  Scriptures  authorize.  In  this  state  there  exist 
all  the  Christian  graces.  The  current  of  our  being  is 
reversed.  Love  is  the  soul's  ruling  impulse,  and  obedience 
is  not  only  possible,  but  also  delightful.  A  growth  in  the 
Christian  graces  is  also  possible  ;  and  indeed  if  justification 
is  retained  there  must  be  this  growth.     At  the  moment  the 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  303 

soul  is  regenerated  it  is  conscious  of  nothing  averse  to  love. 
It  bears  the  image  of  Christ.  In  some  sense,  God  is  loved 
with  all  the  heart — the  heart  is  pure — sanctified — free  from 
sin,  in  the  sense  of  voluntary  transgression — communes 
with  God,  and  has  an  assurance  of  a  title  to  heaven. 

These  things  being  conceded,  many  erroneously  teach 
that  beyond  what  is  known  as  justification  and  regeneration, 
nothing  is  either  necessary  or  possible.  Then  what  are  the 
facts?  What  is  truth  concerning  this  most  important  sub- 
ject?   We  conceive  it  to  be  as  follows  : 

1.  Although  at  the  time  of  regeneration  the  soul  is  un- 
conscious of  anything  averse  to  the  reign  of  love,  yet  in 
after  experience  and  while  enjoying  a  sense  of  the  Divine 
favor,  it  becomes  clearly  conscious  of  the  presence  of 
appetites,  passions,  propensities,  impulses,  dispositions 
and  tempers,  unfriendly  to  the  unqualified  reign  of  our 
only  Lord  and  Savior,  and  to  yield  to  which  is  sin.  Not 
that  these  are  sin ;  but  if  allowed  to  become  active  or  rul- 
ing, they  develop  into  sin. 

2.  These  propensities,  impulses,  &c,  are  traceable  to 
and  consequent  upon  the  fall.  But  for  the  fall  they  would, 
with  us,  have  no  existence. 

3.  These  adverse  impulsions  are  not  produced  by  voli- 
tions, but  are  back  of  and  beneath  the  will,  and  ever  and 
anon  act  upon  it.  They  are  interior  fountains,  deep  within 
the  citadel  of  the  soul,  ever  ready  to  spring  up  and  pour  out 
their  murky  contents.  And  coming  as  they  do  within  the 
field  of  consciousness,  their  presence  cannot  be  denied. 
Hence  they  are  distinctly  noted  by  all  trust-worthy  theolo- 
gians, as  Wesley,  Watson,  Clarke,  Cook,  Fletcher,  Finney, 
Buck,  Dwight,  Hill,  Helffenstein,  Lee,  Foster,  Dempster, 
&c.  The  Presbyterian  Confession  of  Faith  not  only  makes 
note  of  the  presence  of  these  tendencies  to  sin  in  the  re- 
generate heart,  but  teaches  also  that  they  cannot  be  com- 
pletely extirpated  in  this  life.  And  all  these  authorities 
admit  that  when  regenerated,  the  soul  is,  in  a  modified 
sense,  pure  and  sanctified;  but  not  that  it  is  wlwlly  pure 
and  sanctified. 


304  THE  LIFE  OF 

As  Finney,  Lee,  and  others  clearly  teach*  existing  in  the 
sensibilities  as  mere  passive  states,  they  are  not  sin  in  the 
sense  of  transgression,— -But  (1.)  To  yield  to  them  even  in 
intention  or  by  consent,  in  the  absense  of  the  opportunity 
to  yield  in  the  overt  act,  is  sin.  (2.)  Being  adverse  of 
the  Cross  of  Christ,  and  to  his  unqualified  reign  in  and 
over  the  soul,  it  is  his  prerogative  to  cast  them  out.  (3.) 
To  make  truce  with  them  so  far  as  to  consent  to  their  con- 
tinued presence,  while  knowing  that  they  may  be  cast  out, 
is  sin.  In  such  case  their  very  presence  involves  moral 
culpability.  To  make  truce  with  the  foes  of  Christ  in  any 
form,  is  criminally  sinful.  Hence  relentless  warfare  upon 
those  impulsions,  is  fundamentally  necessary  to  conrinued 
justification.  (4,)  That  these  tendencies  to  sin  are  not 
cast  out  by  regeneration  is  self-manifest,  from  the  fact  that 
usually,  if  not  universally,  they  exist  in  the  heart  after  it 
has  been  regenerated.  (5.)  Since  mere  regeneration,  (be- 
ing born  again,)  does  not  cast  out  these  internal  foes, 
their  extirpation  must,  in  this  sense,  and  on  this  account, 
be  a  distinct  work.  This  is  as  plain  as  that  two  and  two 
equal  four,  or  that  a  circle,  square  and  triangle  are  not  the 
same.  And  as  sanctification  begins  with  regeneration,  the 
extirpation  of  those  impulsions  and  attendant  baptism  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  may  on  this  account  be  called  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  same  work.  It  is  the  completion  of  a  work 
begun  in  regeneration.  Hence  contention  over  the  ques- 
tion whether  it  is  a  distinct  work  or  only  the  same  work 
continued  to  completion,  is  not  wise ;  being  more  specu- 
lative than  practical,  and  hence  is  styled  by  Mr.  Wesley 
a  "war  of  words ; v  and  it  may  serve  to  divert  attention 
from  the  great  and  vital  work  of  having  our  internal  foes 
extirpated,  and  the  occupancy  of  the  whole  territory  of 
the  soul  by  the  pure  love  of  Christ.  Being  a  distinct 
work,  it  very  properly  has  a  distinct  designation.  And 
being  the  completion  of  a  work  commenced  in  regenera- 
tion, it  is  very  properly  designated  entire  sanctification. 

That  this  designation  is  in  consonance  with  the  teaching 


REV.    ADAM  CROOKS.  305 

of  Inspiration,  as  well  as  in  accord  with  experience,  is 
apparent  in  tbe  light  of  the  following  with  other  passages  of 
Holy  Writ. 

"  Having  therefore  these  promises,  dearly  beloved,  let 
us  cleanse  ourselves  from  all  filthiness  of  the  flesh  and  spirit, 
perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God."  2  Cor.  vii :  1. 
This  passage  clearly  assumes  (1.)  That  the  Christians 
addressed  may  not  have  been  cleansed  from  all  filthiness 
of  flesh  and  spirit.  For  why  exhort  to  the  doing  of  a 
work  already  completed?  (2.)  That  there  is  such  thing  as 
an  imperfect  state  of  holiness  ;  otherwise  there  could  be 
no  such  process  as  "  perfecting  holiness." 

"  And  the  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  you  wholly ;  and  I 
pray  God  that  your  whole  spirit  and  soul  and  body  be 
preserved  blameless,  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ."  2  Thess.  v :  23.  As  Dr.  Lee  well  says— "This 
text  supposes  that  sanctification  in  part  without  being  en- 
tirely sanctified,  is  a  possible  condition ;  for  it  would  be 
absurd  to  pray  to  be  sanctified  wholly,  if  there  is  no  such 
thing  as  being  sanctified  in  part  without  being  wholly  sanc- 
tified." 

The  foregoing  truths  furnish  large  margin  for  variety  in 
the  experience  of  Christians.  Here  is  a  soul  regenerated  ; 
but  on  the  one  hand  neglecting  to  cultivate  the  good,  and 
on  the  other  to  suppress  its  lendencies  to  sin,  hence  apos- 
tatizes. A  sad  experience  this,  which  fills  the  land  with 
backsliders.  Here  is  another  with  whom  the  warfare  be- 
tween the  good  infused,  and  the  tendencies  to  sin  not  yet 
extirpated,  is  almost  equal.  He  alternates  between  light 
and  darkness,  justification  and  condemnation,  sinning  and 
repenting.  But  little,  if  any,  real  progress  is  made.  Alas, 
that  this  should  be  the  exact  experience  of  so  many ! 
Still  another,  not  knowing  his  right  to  full  gospel  free- 
dom, seeks  no  greater  victory  than  to  control  his  tendencies 
to  sin — anger,  pride,  envy,  jealously,  love  of  the  world, 
&c.  ;  yet  holding  the  evil  in  constant  restraint  it  becomes 
less  potent,  while  the  good,  carefully  cultured,  grows  and 


306  THE  LIFE  OF 

strengthens.  Here  is  steady  progress ;  but  not  complete 
victory.  Stoutly  denying  the  possibility  of  complete  deliv- 
erance in  this  life,  the  measure  of  exparience,  and  the 
contest  with  its  internal  foes  is  ended  only  "  down  at  the 
river."  A  fourth  gains  successive  victories  over  these  inter- 
nal foes ;  and  receives  new  baptisms  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
just  as  those  foes  come  conspicuously  within  the  field  of 
the  soul's  consciousness.  Each  successive  victory  is  com- 
plete in  kind,  but  limited  in  extent.  Impulsions  adverse 
to  spiritual  life  and  growth,  in  ambush,  still  tenant  the 
heart,  until  the  last  one  is  brought  to  view  and  cast  out ; 
each  successive  victory  being  attended  with  deeper  and 
still  deeper  baptisms  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  until  the  work  of 
entire  sanctifictition  is  completed.  Dr.  Lee  styles  this, 
gradual  or  progressive  sanctification.  But  a  fifth  surveys 
the  whole  field  of  the  soul's  wants  at  one  searching  and 
appalling  view.  And  oh,  how  appalling !  He  sees  and  feels 
the  mighty  work  to  be  done ;  and  is  as  clearly  and  deeply 
convicted  of  the  necessity  of  a  clean  heart,  as  formerly  o^ 
the  necessity  of  pardon.  In  the  strength  of  Divine  grace 
the  resolution  if  formed.  The  single  sentiment  of  "  Victory 
or  Death"  permeates  every  part  and  power  of  the  deathless 
spirit,  now  stirred  to  its  uttermost  profound.  The  life-and- 
death  struggle  is  terrible.  For  these  internal  foes  die 
hard.  Consecration  of  the  entire  being  deeper,  broader, 
higher  than  ever  before  reached,  is  now  made ;  taking 
houses,  lands,  time,  talent,  reputation,  friends,  wife,  child- 
ren, life;  everything.  Faith  in  Christ  as  a  perfect  Savior 
and  all-conquering  Captain,  measures  up  to  the  full  de- 
mands of  the  occasion,  and  trusts  him  for  complete  deliv- 
erance from  these  tendencies  to  sin  just  as  fully  as  it  trust- 
ed him  for  pardon ;  and  in  a  moment  the  mighty  work  is 
wrought-! — Self  dies,  that  Christ  may  hold  undisputed  sway 
over  the  entire  empire  of  the  soul.  Now  ensue  unutterable 
joy — the  perfect  Rest  of  Faith — a  life  of  light  and  love — 
the  sweet  tranquility  of  heaven. 

Now,  why  admit  the  reality  of  the  first  four  experiences 


REV.    ADAM    CROOKS.  307 

above  delineated,  and  deny  the  fifth,  which  is  indefinitely 
the  most  glorious,  and  is  attested  by  the  open  profession 
and  holy  lives  of  such  shining  names  as  Messrs.  Fletcher, 
Bramwell,  Carvosso,  Nelson,  Mrs.  Hester  Ann  Rogers, 
Mrs.  Fletcher,  Lady  Maxwell,  and  a  host  of  others,  God's 
noble  men  and  women  who  testify  that  "  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  his  Son,  cleanseth  from  all  sin  ?  " 

Reader !  Does  your  name,  of  right,  belong  to  this  list  ? 
What  does  conscience  answer?     Shall  it  be  there? 

Between  the  extremes  above  indicated  is  margin  for  many 
shades  of  experience ;  and  this  variety  in  experience  gives 
origin  to  variety  in  theories.  We  are  now  prepared  to  note 
some  points  of  difference  between  the  states  of  regeneration 
and  entire  sanctification.  These  are  marked  and  well-de- 
fined. 

1.  The  convictions  preceding  those  states  are  different. 
Sinners  are  convicted  of  sin,  guilt,  and  of  the  need  of  par- 
don and  reconciliation.  The  regenerate  are  convicted  of 
internal  tendencies  to  sin,  in  the  form  of  passions,  propen- 
sities, tempers  and  dispositions,  and  are  deeply  conscious 
that  continued  justification  and  the  favor  of  Heaven,  are 
conditioned  upon  their  extirpation.  Of  course  this  con- 
sciousness does  not  attach  to  those  who  do  not  apprehend 
the  possibility  of  complete  deliverance,  in  this  life,  from 
these  impulsions  to  sin. 

2.  There  is  difference  in  the  consecrations  made.  In  the 
case  of  the  repentant  sinner,  it  is  usually  less  or  more  con- 
fused, vague  and  limited ;  owing  to  abounding  spiritual 
darkness.  In  the  case  of  the  soul  intelligently  seeking  full 
redemption,  the  consecration  is  clear,  well-defined,  deep, 
broad,  high,  aud  all-comprehending, 

3.  There  is  a  difference  in  the  blessings  sought.  The 
repentant  sinner  seeks,  believes  for,  and  experiences  par- 
don and  reconciliation.  Beyond  this,  the  knowledge  of  his 
needs  does  not  extend.  The  regenerate  seek,  believe  for, 
and  experience  complete  deliverance  from  the  foes  lurking 
within,  with  the  attendant  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     One 


308  THE  LIFE  OF 

apprehends  and  trusts  in  Cbrist  as  a  Savior  from  the  guilt 
and  dreadful  .consequences  of  sin.  The  other  apprehends" 
and  trusts  in  Christ  as  the  complete  deliverer  from  all 
indwelling  tendencies  to  revolt  and  rebellion. 

4.  Hence  there  is  a  difference  in  those  states  themselves. 
With  the  regenerate,  the  tendencies  to  sin  are  only  con- 
trolled. With  the  entirely  sanctified  they  are  extirpated. 
With  the  regenerate,  there  are  deep  under- currents  of  the 
soul  averse  to  a  life  of  entire  consecration — impulsions 
clamoring  for  both  existence  and  indulgence.  In  the  wholly 
sanctified,  all  those  deep  under-currents  are  friendly  and 
helpful  to  a  life  of  unqualified  holiness.  So  that,  so  far 
as  internal  foes  are  concerned,  the  empire  of  the  soul  is  left 
in  peace. 

5.  Hence  again :  there  is  marked  difference  in  the  temp- 
tations of  the  two  states.  With  the  regenerate  or  partially 
sanctified,  many  of  their  temptations  are  from  within,  while 
with  the  wholly  sanctified,  they  are  from  without.  The  re- 
generate are  conscious  of  something  within,  in  sympathy 
with  suggested  evil;  while  with  the  wholly  sanctified,  there 
is  no  such  sympathy,  but  positive  and  intense  antagonism 
to  all  known  sin.  The  regenerate  are  often  tempted  di- 
rectly to  sin ;  whereas  the  wholly  sanctified  seldom  are. 
With  these,  Satan,  coming  in  the  guise  of  an  angel  of  light, 
operates  upon  and  through  something  in  itself  innocent,  or 
it  may  be  morally  excellent;  to  secure  an  illegitimate  use 
of  these.  As  in  the  case  of  Eve,  her  desire  for  food,  or 
wish  to  be  wise.  Or  in  the  case  of  Jesus — his  hunger; 
or  his  perceived  faith  in  Divine  Providence,  to  cast  him- 
self from  the  pinacle  of  the  temple ;  or  of  his  dread  for 
terrible  sufferings,  as  in  the  garden  of  "  strong  crying  and 
tears."  Sometimes  he  seeks  to  take  advantage  of  the  holi- 
est sentiments  of  the  soul,  and  mis-lead  and  mis-direct, — 
for  example,  our  tender  regard  for  the  honor  of  God,  and 
the  success  of  his  cause.  On  the  one  hand,  he  may  seek 
to  hold  us  back — we  must  have  our  faith  to  ourselves — must 
be  prudently  zealous — we  must  not  be  too  forward,  or  we 
will  be  thought  officious,  and  our  power  to  do  good  thug 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  309 

be  destroyed, — or  on  the  other  hand,  he  may  urge  us  too 
fast  and  too  far;  and  thus  beguile  into  fanaticism;  or  as  in 
the  case  of  Paul,  he  may  send  a  "  messenger  of  Satan  to 
buffet  us" — a  brother,  or  sister,  or  wife,  or  husband,  or 
pastor,  or  private  church-member,  or  sinners.  But  per- 
haps the  master  device  of  Satan  in  this  regard,  is  to  lead 
us,  all  undiscovered,  to  the  excessive  indulgence  of  that 
which,  in  itself,  is  innocent;  such  as  love  of  husband,  wife, 
children,  reputation,  or  appetite,  or  native  impulsions,  in 
themselves  entirely  legitimate.  At  this  point  especially, 
there  is  necessity  for  eternal  vigilance.  Thus  in  a  thou- 
sand ways  Satan  may  buffet,  annoy  and  embarrass  those 
who  are  wholly  sanctified.  It  is  well  to  be  wise,  and  know 
"The  depths  of  Satan." 

And  just  here  it  is  in  place  to  guard  our  readers  against 
fatal  mistakes.     And, 

1.  Be  slow  to  make  your  own  experience  the  primal  test 
of  truth,  respecting  thjs  great  subject.  Especially  do  not 
say — "  When  first  converted,  I  was  more  happy,  and  loved 
more  than  at  any  period  since ;  therefore  there  is  no  such 
thing  as  progress  in  the  experience  of  salvation."  Is  not 
such  an  experience  sadly  defective  ?  What  meaneth  the 
parable  of  the  one,  two,  and  five  talents  ?  The  Scriptures 
and  all  nature,  alike  teach  the  doctrine  of  progress. 

2.  Do  not  mistake  mere  regeneration  for  entire  sanctifi- 
cation.  It  may  well  be  feared  that  there  are  those  in  the 
Church  who  are  destitute  of  the  grace  of  Canst ;  and, 
deeply  conscious  of  the  immense  vccaum  in  their  souls, 
come  to  Jesus  humbly  and  devoutly,  and  being  greatly 
blessed,  assume  that  they  are  wholly  sanctified,  while  they 
have  received  nothing  beyond  justification ;  a  blessing  of 
which,  up  to  this  time,  they  were  destitute. 

3.  Be  particular  not  to  mistake  partial  for  complete  sanc- 
tifi  nation.  Be  not  deceived.  BethoruiigJi.  Go  to  the  very 
bottom  in  this  experience.  Leave  no  ground  to  doubt  that 
either  the  consecration  or  the  faith  is  complete. 

4.  With  the  utmost  care  guard  against  every  species  of 


310  THE   LIFE  OF 

fanaticism.  Satan  is  just  as  well  plea£ed  to  push  us  a  little 
too  far  as  to  have  us  jail  below  privilege  and  duty. 
Hence,  some  believe  themselves  so  much  beyond  where 
the  Savior  was,  that  they  cannot  be  tempted.  Others 
again  think  themselves  so  much  in  advance  of  the  inspired 
Apostle,  who  said  "  we  know  but.  -in  part,  and  prophesy 
but  in  part,v  that  they  are  away  above  mistake — have  no 
need  of  the  Scriptures ;  being  in  all  things  led  by  the 
Holy  Ghost.  And  still  others  separate  themselves  from 
those  dear  children  of  God  who  bave  been  only  regenera- 
ted, and  fellowship  those  only  who  are  wholly  sanctified ; 
and  tfrus  produce  schism  in  the  body  of  Christ.  By  these 
and  other  devices,  Satan  succeeds  in  distracting  the  Church, 
and  bringing  the  blessed  doctrine  of  holiness  into  disrepute, 
an»J  even  ridicule.  But  of  course  it  is  no  valid  objection 
to  a  doctrine,  that  it  can  be  perverted. 

b.  Too  many,  having  professed  entire  sanctification  cease 
their  e  or ts  for  progress  ;  forgetting  that  there  is  a  funda- 
mental difference  between  purity  and  maturity,  By  all 
means,  and  with  all  possible  assiduity,  avoid  this  error. 
The  sanctified  soul  is  only  in  good  position  for  bolder 
flights  into  the  measureless  beyond.  When  fields  are 
cleared  of  all  wild-growth,  we  expect  the  grains  to  grow 
the  faster,  and  the  gathered  harvests  to  be  the  richer. 
But  in  neglected  fields,  the  enemy  will  sow  tares.  Present 
grace  can  he  retained  only  by  getting  more.  Neglected 
conformity  to  this  fundamental  principle  in  the  economy  of 
grace  accounts  for  the  sad  fact  that  so  few  who  profess  en- 
tire sanctification  succeed  in  retaining  it.  The  honor  of 
God  and  salvation  of  souls  demand  that  this  ruinous  evil 
be  remedied.  When  the  demand  of  the  age  is  spiritual 
athletes,  shall  we  supply  it  with  an  army  of  infants  ?  Tins 
must  not  be.     But  we  proceed. 

Distinct  from  the  baptism  of  purity,  is  the  baptism  of 
power.  The  promises  are  distinct,  and  so  are  the  bless- 
ings. How  much  the  whole  Church  needs  this  mighty  bap- 
tism !     How  her  hallowed  interests   lie   in   waste  from  its 


REV.  ADAM  CROOKS.  311 

want.  How  considerations  weighty  as  the  worth  of  souls 
and  measureless  as  eternity,  with  voioes,  plaintive  as  the 
pleadings  of  Heaven's  own  pity,  invoke  the  Church  to  a 
universal  and  perpetual  Pentecost!  Only  this  can  make 
her  "  fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an 
army  with  banners."    . 

But  still  beyond,  is  the  sealing  of  the  Holy  Sjoirit.  As, 
in  this  life,  the  sinner  can  overleap  the  bounds  of  possible 
return  to  God,  so  this  sealing  "  unto  the  day  of  redemp- 
tion1' make  its  possessor,  quite  as  certain  of  the  boundless 
bliss  of  heaven,  as  if  already  approved  and  crowned.  Not 
that  there  is  any  absolute  impossibility  that  they  should 
sin,  fall,  and  be  lost ;  but  only  that  all  who  know  them 
are  well  persuaded  that  they  will  persevere  and  be  eter- 
nally crowned.  We  do  not  unduly  magnify  the  grace  of 
God.  Read  the  prayer  of  the  inspired  Apostle,  Eph.  iii : 
16 — 21 — That  they  might  be  rooted  and  grounded  in  love — 
that  they  might  know  the  love  of  Christ,  which  passeth 
knowledge — might  he  filled  with  all  thefidlness  of  God — and 
then,  "  unto  Him  that  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly 
above  all  that  we  ask  or  think."     etc. 

No,  we  do  not  exaggerate.  Are  we  all  "  agonizing  to 
enter  in  at  the  straight  gate,'7  and  to  come  up  to  the  full 
measure  of  privilege  and  duty  ?  Reader,  are  you  seeking 
to  be  thus  thorough ?  Are  you  "  forgetting  things  behind, 
and  reaching  to  those  before  ?  Are  you  allowing  those  im" 
pulsions  or  tendencies,  which  if  indulged,  crystalize  into  sin, 
peaceable  possession  of  a  single  inch  of  the  tenitory  cf  your 
soul;  or  is  the  entire  being,  with  all  and  singular  of  ap- 
purtenances, consecrated  to  the  undisputed  reign  of  Jesus  ? 
Do  you  momentarily  apprehend  Christ  your  complete  Sav- 
ior? Do  you  live  up  to  the  highest  point  of  Gospel  privi- 
lege ;  or  are  you  content  to  live  below  it?  Can  you  live 
below  privilege  and  be  even  justified?  But  are  you  emp- 
tied of  sin  and  filled  with  God? 


312  THE  LIFE   OP  KEY.  ADAM  CROOKS. 

CONTENTS. 


Early  History . „ 7 

Early  Ministry, „..„ 11 

Call  to  the  South 13 

Dedication  of  the  First  Wesleyan  Meeting  House  in 

North  Carolina 28 

Opposition 31 

Visit  to  Virginia „ 33 

Camp  Meeting 38 

In  Bonds 45 

Other  Persecutions 66 

A  Mob 76 

In.  Jail „. 94 

Release  from  Jail ]  00 

Observations 109 

Further  Activities Ill 

His  Marriage 112 

Labors  at  Cleveland,  Ohio 118 

Election  to  Editorship 125 

Denominational  Union  Movement 139 

The  Bally  and  Restoration  of  Confidence 151 

Extract  from  an  Inquiry  into  Masonry  and  Odd  Fel- 
lowship  ....  157 

Extract  from  Editorials , 175 

Character  and  Characteristics 207 

Home  Life 2]9 

Letter  Writing 228 

The  Last  Year 230 

Obsequies  and  Memorial  Services 256 

Expressions  of  Sympathy  and  Appreciation 276 

Counsel  to  Converts. 288 

Plea  for  Holiness 294 

Processes  of  Salvation 300 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 


THE  COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINIANA 


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